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Maryland Code, State Government § 20-1036

Current as of January 01, 2025 | Updated by Findlaw Staff

(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, 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.

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Cite this article: FindLaw.com - Maryland Code, State Government § 20-1036 - last updated January 01, 2025 | https://codes.findlaw.com/md/state-government/md-code-state-govt-sect-20-1036/

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