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 20-1020 – Definitions
(a) In this part the following words have the meanings indicated. (b) “Aggrieved person” means any person that claims to have been injured by a discriminatory housing practice. (c) “Conciliation” means the attempted resolution of issues raised by a complaint, or by the investigation of a complaint, through informal negotiations involving the aggrieved person, the respondent, and the […]