Section 905. Powers and duties

The powers and duties of the commission
  shall be:
    a.  to  work  together  with  federal,  state  and  city  agencies  in
  developing  courses  of  instruction, for presentation to city employees
  and in public and private schools, public libraries, museums  and  other
  suitable  places,  on  techniques  for  achieving harmonious inter-group
  relations  within  the  city  of  New  York,   and   engage   in   other
  anti-discrimination activities;
    b.  to  enlist the cooperation of various groups and organizations, in
  mediation efforts, programs and campaigns devoted to  eliminating  group
  prejudice, intolerance, hate crimes, bigotry and discrimination;
    c.   to   study  the  problems  of  prejudice,  intolerance,  bigotry,
  discrimination and disorder occasioned thereby in all or any  fields  of
  human relationship;
    d.  (1)  to  receive,  investigate  and  pass  upon  complaints and to
  initiate  its  own  investigation  of:  (i)  group-tensions,  prejudice,
  intolerance,  bigotry and disorder occasioned thereby, and (ii) unlawful
  discrimination  against  any  person  or  group  of  persons,  provided,
  however,  that with respect to discrimination alleged to be committed by
  city officials or city agencies, such investigation shall  be  commenced
  after  consultation  with  the mayor. Upon its own motion, to make, sign
  and file complaints alleging violations of the city's human rights law;
    (2) in the event that any  such  investigation  discloses  information
  that  any  person  or  group  of  persons may be engaged in a pattern or
  practice that results in the denial to any person or group of persons of
  the full enjoyment of any right secured by  the  human  rights  law,  in
  addition  to  making, signing and filing a complaint upon its own motion
  pursuant to paragraph a of this subdivision, to refer  such  information
  to  the corporation counsel for the purpose of commencing a civil action
  pursuant to chapter four of title eight of the administrative code;
    e. 1. to issue subpoenas in the  manner  provided  for  in  the  civil
  practice  law  and  rules  compelling  the  attendance  of witnesses and
  requiring the production of any evidence relating to  any  matter  under
  investigation  or  any question before the commission, and to take proof
  with respect thereto;
    2. to hold hearings, administer oaths and take testimony of any person
  under oath; and
    3. in accordance with applicable law, to require the production of any
  names of persons necessary for the  investigation  of  any  institution,
  club or other place or provider of accommodation.
    4. in accordance with applicable law, to require any person or persons
  who  are  the  subject of an investigation by the commission to preserve
  such records as are in the possession of such person or persons  and  to
  continue  to  make  and keep the type of records that have been made and
  kept by such person or persons in the ordinary course of business within
  the previous year, which  records  are  relevant  to  the  determination
  whether  such  person  or persons have committed unlawful discriminatory
  practices with respect to activities in the city;
    5. to issue publications and reports  of  investigation  and  research
  designed  to  promote  good  will  and  minimize or eliminate prejudice,
  intolerance, bigotry, discrimination and disorder occasioned thereby;
    6. to appoint such employees and agents as it deems to be necessary to
  carry out its functions, powers and duties: provided, however, that  the
  commission  shall  not  delegate  its power to adopt rules, and provided
  further, that the commission's power to order that records be  preserved
  or  made  and  kept  and  the  commission's  power  to  determine that a
  respondent has engaged in an unlawful  discriminatory  practice  and  to
  issue  an  order  for  such  relief  as is necessary and proper shall be

  delegated only to members  of  the  commission.  The  expenses  for  the
  carrying  on  of  the  commission's  activities shall be paid out of the
  funds in the city treasury. The commission's appointment and  assignment
  powers  as  set  forth  in  this  subdivision  may  be  exercised by the
  chairperson of the commission;
    7. to recommend to the mayor and to the council legislation to aid  in
  carrying out the purposes of this chapter;
    8. to submit an annual report to the mayor and the council which shall
  be published in City Record; and
    9.  to adopt rules to carry out the provisions of this chapter and the
  policies and procedures of the commission in connection therewith.