Section 20-1022 – Investigation of Complaint; Joinder of Respondents
(a) (1) The Commission shall investigate a complaint alleging a discriminatory housing practice and determine, based on the facts, whether probable cause exists to believe that a discriminatory housing practice has occurred or is about to occur. (2) Unless it is impracticable to do so, the Commission shall complete the investigation and make the determination required under paragraph […]
Section 20-1101 – Disclosure of Confidential Information
(a) (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, during an investigation of a complaint alleging a discriminatory act, and until the matter reaches the stage of public hearings: (i) the activities of all members and employees of the Commission in connection with the investigation shall be conducted in confidence and without publicity; and (ii) the members […]
Section 20-1023 – Subpoenas; Discovery; Witness Fees
(a) The Commission may issue subpoenas and order discovery in aid of investigations and hearings under this part. (b) (1) Witnesses subpoenaed by the Commission to testify in any proceedings under this part are entitled to the same witness and mileage fees as witnesses in proceedings before any circuit court in the State. (2) The party who requests that […]
Section 20-1102 – Disobeying Subpoena or Discovery Order in Housing Discrimination Case; Falsifying Documentary Evidence
(a) If it is in the person’s power to comply, a person may not willfully fail or neglect to attend and testify, answer any lawful inquiry, or produce records, documents, or other evidence, in compliance with a subpoena or other lawful order issued under § 20–1023(a) of this title. (b) A person may not, with intent to […]
Section 20-1024 – Conciliation
(a) During the period between the filing of a complaint and the filing of a charge or a dismissal by the Commission, the Commission, to the extent feasible, shall engage in conciliation with respect to the complaint. (b) (1) A conciliation agreement is subject to approval by the Commission. (2) (i) A conciliation agreement may provide for binding arbitration of […]
Section 20-1103 – Injury, Intimidation, or Interference With Protected Housing Activities
(a) In this section, “disability”, “dwelling”, “familial status”, “marital status”, “rent”, and “source of income” have the meanings stated in § 20–701 of this title. (b) Whether or not acting under color of law, a person may not, by force or threat of force, willfully injure, intimidate, interfere with, or attempt to injure, intimidate, or interfere with: […]
Section 20-1025 – Certification of Case; Issuance and Service of Charges
(a) Except as provided in subsections (c) and (d) of this section, if the Commission determines that probable cause exists to believe that a discriminatory housing practice has occurred or is about to occur and that conciliation has failed, the Executive Director of the Commission or the Executive Director’s designee shall certify the case for processing. […]
Section 20-1026 – Election of Civil Action
(a) When a charge is issued and served under § 20–1025 of this subtitle, a complainant, respondent, or aggrieved person on whose behalf the complaint was filed may elect to have the claims asserted in the charge decided in a civil action under § 20–1032 of this subtitle instead of a hearing under § 20–1027 of […]
Section 20-1027 – Administrative Hearing
(a) If an election is not made under § 20–1026 of this subtitle, the Commission shall provide an opportunity for a hearing on the record with respect to a charge issued under § 20–1025 of this subtitle. (b) (1) The Commission shall delegate the conduct of a hearing under this section to the Office of Administrative Hearings. (2) An […]
Section 20-1028 – Decision of Administrative Law Judge
(a) (1) Unless it is impracticable to do so, the administrative law judge shall make findings of fact and conclusions of law within 60 days after submission of posthearing memoranda. (2) If the administrative law judge is unable to make findings of fact and conclusions of law within the 60–day period or any succeeding 60–day period, the administrative […]