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; […]
Section 20-1021 – Complaint; Answer to Complaint
(a) (1) An aggrieved person may file a complaint with the Commission alleging a discriminatory housing practice. (2) The complaint shall be filed within 1 year after the alleged discriminatory housing practice occurred or terminated. (b) The Commission may: (1) file a complaint on the Commission’s own initiative; and (2) investigate housing practices to determine whether a complaint should be filed […]
Section 20-1037 – Civil Action for Temporary or Preliminary Relief
(a) If the Commission concludes at any time after the filing of a complaint that prompt judicial action is necessary to carry out the purposes of this part and Subtitle 7 of this title, the Commission may bring a civil action for appropriate temporary or preliminary relief pending final disposition of the complaint under this part. […]
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 20-1023 – 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 20-1024 – 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 20-1025 – 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 […]