Toliver v. Alaska State Commission for Human Rights

OPINION

MATTHEWS, Senior Justice.

I. INTRODUCTION

This appeal presents the question whether the Alaska State Commission for Human Rights (the Commission) must interview one or more witnesses identified by a complainant before dismissing a complaint for lack of substantial evidence to support a discrimination claim. We conclude that the statutory duty to impartially investigate implies that the Commission must make a reasonable effort to interview at least some of the witnesses identified by a complainant where it appears that they may have relevant information. We also conclude that this duty…