Pattern Or Practice Case

Sec. 301.132. PATTERN OR PRACTICE CASE. (a) On the request of the commission, the attorney general may file a civil action in district court for appropriate relief if the commission has reasonable cause to believe that: (1) a person is engaged in a pattern or practice of resistance to the full enjoyment of a right granted under this chapter; or (2) a person has been denied a right granted by this chapter and that denial raises an issue of general public importance. (b) In an action under this section the court may: (1) award preventive relief, including a permanent or temporary injunction, restraining order, or other order against the person responsible for a violation of this chapter as necessary to assure the full enjoyment of the rights granted by this chapter; (2) award other appropriate relief, including monetary damages, reasonable attorney fees, and court costs; and (3) to vindicate the public interest, assess a civil penalty against the respondent in an amount that does not exceed: (A) $50,000 for a first violation; and (B) $100,000 for a second or subsequent violation. (c) A person may intervene in an action under this section if the person is: (1) a person aggrieved by the discriminatory housing practice; or (2) a party to a conciliation agreement concerning the discriminatory housing practice. Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 40, eff. Sept. 1, 1993.