Sec. 15. State attorneys general

283 words·~1 min read·/bill/114/hr/3196/ih/section-15

A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.

Whenever an attorney general (or similar enforcement officer of a State, however denominated, hereinafter attorney general ) of any State has reason to believe that the interests of the residents of that State have been or are being threatened or adversely affected because any person has engaged or is engaging in a pattern or practice which violates any provision of this Act, the State, as parens patriae, may bring a civil action on behalf of its residents in an appropriate State court or district court of the United States to enjoin such violations, to obtain damages, restitution or other compensation on behalf of residents of such State or to obtain such further and other relief as the court may deem appropriate.

For purposes of bringing any civil action under subsection (a), nothing in this Act shall prevent an attorney general from exercising the powers conferred on the attorney general by the laws of such State to conduct investigations or to administer oaths or affirmations or to compel the attendance of witnesses or the production of documentary and other evidence. Any civil action brought under subsection

(a)in a district court of the United States may be brought in the district in which the defendant is found, is an inhabitant, or transacts business, or wherever venue is proper under section 1391 of title 28, United States Code. Process in such action may be served in any district in which the defendant is an inhabitant or in which the defendant may be found. Nothing contained in this section shall prohibit an authorized State official from proceeding in State court on the basis of an alleged violation of any civil or criminal statute of such State.