Cal. Civ. Code § 213.126
Attorney general to act, when — authorization of civil action — settlement agreement
Operative Text
1. Whenever the attorney general has a reasonable cause to believe that any person or group of persons is engaged in a pattern or practice of resistance to the full enjoyment of any of the rights granted by this chapter or that any group of persons has been denied any of the rights granted by this chapter, and such denial raises an issue of general public importance, he may bring a civil action to any appropriate state court by filing with it a complaint setting forth the facts and requesting such preventive relief, including, but not limited to, an application for a permanent or temporary injunction, restraining order, or other order against the person or persons responsible for such pattern or practice or denial of rights, as he deems necessary to ensure the full enjoyment of the rights granted by this chapter. 2. If, at any time following the filing of a complaint alleging violation of one or more of the provisions of sections 213.040 to 213.070, the chairperson determines that prompt judicial action is necessary to carry out the purposes of this chapter, the chairperson may authorize a civil action for appropriate temporary or preliminary relief pending final disposition of the complaint under the provisions of this chapter. Upon receipt of such authorization, the attorney general may commence and maintain an action seeking temporary or preliminary relief of an equitable nature in the circuit court of the county in which the respondent resides or in any county in which respondent conducts business. 3. Upon request by the commission, the attorney general shall take appropriate action in circuit court to enforce a subpoena issued by the commission. 4. The attorney general may file suit to enforce a settlement or conciliation agreement or any order of the commission referred by the commission or executive director.
Missouri Revised Statutes § 213.126 authorizes the state attorney general to pursue civil action in state court when there is reasonable cause to believe that a person or group is engaged in a pattern of denying fair housing or civil rights protections, or when such a denial raises a matter of general public importance. The provision also allows the commission's chairperson to authorize emergency court action for temporary or preliminary relief when prompt judicial intervention is needed during a pending complaint. Additionally, the attorney general is empowered to enforce commission subpoenas and to file suit to uphold settlement, conciliation agreements, or commission orders.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Mo. Rev. Stat. § 213.126, property owners and managers should be aware that the attorney general can initiate civil litigation—including seeking injunctions or restraining orders—against those found to be engaged in a pattern or practice of denying rights protected under Missouri's civil rights chapter. Compliant operators generally maintain consistent, documented, and non-discriminatory policies across all rental practices to avoid triggering the kind of systemic concerns this provision is designed to address. Operators should also understand that settlement or conciliation agreements reached with the commission carry legal weight and can be enforced in circuit court.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Mo. Rev. Stat. § 213.126 provides an important enforcement backstop for tenants whose fair housing or civil rights complaints may reflect broader patterns of discrimination affecting multiple people or raising issues of general public importance. When the Missouri Commission on Human Rights determines that urgent court action is needed during a pending complaint, the chairperson can authorize the attorney general to seek temporary or preliminary relief in circuit court on behalf of affected individuals. Tenants who believe their rights under Missouri's civil rights chapter have been violated may wish to contact the Missouri Commission on Human Rights or a local tenant-rights organization to understand how this provision and related enforcement mechanisms may apply to their situation.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 14, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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