(a) To enforce this subtitle, the Authority: (1) shall accept and review complaints for violations of this subtitle; and (2) may recommend necessary enforcement actions. (b) (1) The Authority shall: (i) hear complaints for violations of this subtitle: 1. at the request of a probable violator; or 2. after notifying a probable violator that the Authority has scheduled a hearing on its own motion; and (ii) after a hearing, assess a civil penalty under § 12–135 of this subtitle. (2) The Authority may reach a settlement instead of assessing a civil penalty. (3) If a probable violator fails to appear at a scheduled hearing, the Authority may vote to proceed to hear the complaint against the probable violator in the absence of the probable violator. (c) (1) The Authority may: (i) establish reasonable complaint filing fees and administrative fees for complaints heard by the Authority; and (ii) use the services of a third party to collect civil penalties. (2) If the Authority determines that an individual cannot afford to pay a fee established under paragraph (1)(i) of this subsection, the Authority may exempt the individual wholly or partly from the fee.

If the Authority determines that an individual cannot afford to pay a fee established under paragraph (1)(i) of this subsection, the Authority may exempt the individual wholly or partly from the fee. (d) The Authority may not assess a civil penalty against a person unless the person: (1) receives reasonable prior notice of the complaint; and (2) has an opportunity to be heard under § 12–113 of this subtitle.