1. (a) The Commission may commence a civil action in the appropriate circuit court if the Commission has probable cause to believe that:

   1. (1)

      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
      2. (ii) any group of persons has been denied any of the rights granted by this part and Subtitle 7 of this title; and
   2. (2) the resistance or denial raises an issue of general public importance.
2. (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.

3. (c)

   1. (1) In a civil action under subsection (a) of this section, the court may:

      1. (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;
      2. (ii) award other relief the court considers appropriate, including monetary damages to aggrieved persons; and

      3. (iii) to vindicate the public interest, assess a civil penalty against the respondent:

         1. 1. in an amount not exceeding $50,000, for a first violation; and
         2. 2. in an amount not exceeding $100,000, for any subsequent violation.
   2. (2) In a civil action under this section, the court may allow the prevailing party, including the Commission, reasonable attorney's fees and costs.

4. (d)

   1. (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:

      1. (i) an alleged discriminatory housing practice to which the person is an aggrieved person; or
      2. (ii) a conciliation agreement to which the person is a party.
   2. (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.

Added by Acts 2009, c. 120, § 2, eff. Oct. 1, 2009. Amended by Acts 2022, c. 135, § 1, eff. April 12, 2022.