Section 20-1021 - Complaint; answer to complaint. - Maryland Statutes

§ 20-1021. Complaint; answer to complaint.
 

(a)  Complaint by aggrieved person.-  

(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)  Complaint by Commission.- 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 under this section. 

(c)  Form and content of complaint.- A complaint shall: 

(1) be in writing; 

(2) be in the form that the Commission requires; and 

(3) contain the information that the Commission requires. 

(d)  Service of notice on aggrieved person.- After a complaint is filed, the Commission shall serve notice on the aggrieved person acknowledging the filing and advising the aggrieved person of the time limits and choice of forums provided under this part. 

(e)  Service of complaint and notice on respondent.- Within 10 days after a complaint is filed or an additional respondent is identified under § 20-1022(b) of this subtitle, the Commission shall serve on the respondent: 

(1) a copy of the original complaint; and 

(2) a notice identifying the alleged discriminatory housing practice and advising the respondent of the procedural rights and obligations of respondents under this part. 

(f)  Answer to complaint.-  

(1) Each respondent may file an answer to the complaint. 

(2) The answer shall be filed within 10 days after receipt of the copy of the complaint and notice from the Commission under subsection (e) of this section. 

(g)  Filing under oath; amendments.- Complaints and answers: 

(1) shall be under oath; and 

(2) may be reasonably amended at any time. 
 

[An. Code 1957, art. 49B, § 27(a), (b), (d); 2009, ch. 120, § 2.]