Section 20-1036 - Civil Action by Commission in Public Interest

(a) The Commission may commence a civil action in the appropriate circuit court if the Commission has probable cause to believe that: (1) (i) a 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 part and Subtitle 7 of this title; or (ii) any group of persons has been denied any of the rights granted by this part and Subtitle 7 of this title; and (2) the resistance or denial raises an issue of general public importance. (b) The Commission or other party at whose request a subpoena is issued under this part may enforce a subpoena in appropriate proceedings in the circuit court for the county in which the person to whom the subpoena was addressed resides, was served, or transacts business. (c) (1) In a civil action under subsection (a) of this section, the court may: (i) award preventive relief, including a permanent or temporary injunction, restraining order, or other order against the person responsible for a violation of Subtitle 7 of this title as necessary to ensure the full enjoyment of the rights granted by Subtitle 7 of this title; (ii) award other relief the court considers appropriate,

sible for a violation of Subtitle 7 of this title as necessary to ensure the full enjoyment of the rights granted by Subtitle 7 of this title; (ii) award other relief the court considers appropriate, including monetary damages to aggrieved persons; and (iii) to vindicate the public interest, assess a civil penalty against the respondent: 1. in an amount not exceeding $50,000, for a first violation; and 2. in an amount not exceeding $100,000, for any subsequent violation. (2) In a civil action under this section, the court may allow the prevailing party, including the Commission, reasonable attorney’s fees and costs. (d) (1) On timely application, a person may intervene in a civil action commenced by the Commission under subsection (a) or (b) of this section, if the action involves: (i) an alleged discriminatory housing practice to which the person is an aggrieved person; or (ii) a conciliation agreement to which the person is a party. (2) The court may grant any appropriate relief to any intervening party that is authorized to be granted to a plaintiff in a civil action under § 20–1035 of this subtitle.