§ 20-1036
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/md/state-government/20-1036A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
§20–1036.
(a)The Commission may commence a civil action in the appropriate circuit court if the Commission has probable cause to believe that:
(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.
(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, 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.
(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.