Maryland Statutes
Part II - Discriminatory Housing Practices
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 assure 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.