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§ 20-1013. Civil action by complainant

West's Annotated Code of MarylandState GovernmentEffective: October 1, 2022

West's Annotated Code of Maryland
State Government (Refs & Annos)
Title 20. Human Relations (Refs & Annos)
Subtitle 10. Enforcement (Refs & Annos)
Part I. In General (Refs & Annos)
Effective: October 1, 2022
MD Code, State Government, § 20-1013
§ 20-1013. Civil action by complainant
Currentness
In general
(a)(1) In addition to the right to make an election under § 20-1007 of this subtitle, a complainant may bring a civil action against the respondent alleging an unlawful employment practice, if:
(i) the complainant initially filed a timely administrative charge or a complaint under federal, State, or local law alleging an unlawful employment practice by the respondent;
(ii) at least 180 days have elapsed since the filing of the administrative charge or complaint; and
(iii) 1. subject to item 2 of this item, the civil action is filed within 2 years after the alleged unlawful employment practice occurred; or
2. if the complaint is alleging harassment, the civil action is filed within 3 years after the alleged harassment occurred.
(2) The time limitations under paragraph (1)(iii) of this subsection shall be tolled while an administrative charge or complaint filed by the complainant under paragraph (1)(ii) is pending.
Venue
(b) A civil action under this section shall be filed in the circuit court for the county where the alleged unlawful employment practice occurred.
Termination of administrative proceedings
(c) The filing of a civil action under this section automatically terminates any proceeding before the Commission based on the underlying administrative complaint and any amendment to the complaint.
Remedies
(d) If the court finds that an unlawful employment practice occurred, the court may provide the remedies specified in § 20-1009(b) of this subtitle.
Punitive damages
(e)(1) In addition to the relief authorized under subsection (d) of this section, the court may award punitive damages, if:
(i) the respondent is not a governmental unit or political subdivision; and
(ii) the court finds that the respondent has engaged in or is engaging in an unlawful employment practice with actual malice.
(2) If the court awards punitive damages, the sum of the amount of compensatory damages awarded to each complainant under subsection (d) of this section and the amount of punitive damages awarded under this subsection may not exceed the applicable limitation established under § 20-1009(b)(3) of this subtitle.
Demand for jury trial
(f) If a complainant seeks compensatory or punitive damages under this section:
(1) any party may demand a trial by jury; and
(2) the court may not inform the jury of the limitations on compensatory and punitive damages imposed under § 20-1009(b)(3) of this subtitle.
Alternative dispute resolution
(g) When appropriate and to the extent authorized under law, in a dispute arising under this part, in which the complainant seeks compensatory or punitive damages, the parties are encouraged to use alternative means of dispute resolution, including settlement negotiations or mediation.

Credits

Added by Acts 2009, c. 120, § 2, eff. Oct. 1, 2009. Amended by Acts 2009, c. 56, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2009; Acts 2009, c. 57, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2009; Acts 2009, c. 121, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2009; Acts 2009, c. 367, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2009; Acts 2010, c. 72, § 1, eff. April 13, 2010; Acts 2019, c. 222, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2019; Acts 2022, c. 660, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2022.
MD Code, State Government, § 20-1013, MD STATE GOVT § 20-1013
Current through legislation effective through April 9, 2023, from the 2024 Regular Session of the General Assembly. Some statute sections may be more current, see credits for details.
End of Document