US Laws, Codes, Statutes & Cases

      (a)      (1)      (i)      An aggrieved person may file, not later than 1 year after an alleged discriminatory housing practice has occurred or terminated, a complaint with the Commission alleging the discriminatory housing practice.

                  (ii)      The Commission, on the Commission's own initiative, may also file a complaint.

            (2)      Complaints shall be in writing and shall contain the information and be in the form that the Commission requires.

            (3)      The Commission may also investigate housing practices to determine whether a complaint should be brought under this section.

      (b)      After the filing of a complaint:

            (1)      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 subtitle;

            (2)      The Commission shall, not later than 10 days after the filing or the identification of an additional respondent under subsection (e) of this section, serve on the respondent a notice identifying the alleged discriminatory housing practice and advising the respondent of the procedural rights and obligations of respondents under this subtitle, together with a copy of the original complaint; and

            (3)      Each respondent may file, not later than 10 days after receipt of notice from the Commission, an answer to the complaint.

      (c)      (1)      Unless it is impracticable to do so, the Commission shall make an investigation of a complaint alleging a discriminatory practice and complete the investigation and determine, based on the facts, whether probable cause exists to believe that a discriminatory housing practice has occurred or is about to occur, within 100 days after the filing of the complaint.

            (2)      If the Commission is unable to complete an investigation and determine, based on the facts, whether probable cause exists to believe that a discriminatory housing practice has occurred or is about to occur, within the 100 days specified in paragraph (1) of this subsection, the Commission shall notify the complainant and the respondent in writing and include the reasons for the delay.

      (d)      Complaints and answers shall be under oath or affirmation and may be reasonably and fairly amended at any time.

      (e)      (1)      A person who is not named as a respondent in a complaint, but who is identified as a respondent in the course of investigation, may be joined as an additional or substitute respondent after written notice in accordance with subsection (b)(2) of this section.

            (2)      The notice, in addition to meeting the requirements of subsection (b)(2) of this section, shall explain the basis for the Commission's belief that the person to whom the notice is addressed is properly joined as a respondent.