(A) (1) Except as provided in subsections (2), (3), and (4) of this division, the Human Relations Commission is authorized to provide remedial relief, including equitable relief and monetary damages.
(2) The Human Relations Commission is not authorized by this section to:
(a) Award attorney’s fees;
(b) Assess penalties or fines;
(c) Create a private cause of action; or
(d) Award damages for humiliation or pain and suffering.
(3) In employment cases, the Human Relations Commission has powers or jurisdiction over only employers with 15 or more employees.
(4) In public accommodations cases and housing cases, the Human Relations Commission shall not have powers or jurisdiction in excess of or in conflict with the powers and jurisdiction described in Md. Code Ann., State Government Article, Title 20.
(B) Subpoenas, decisions, and orders of the Human Relations Commission may be enforced in the Circuit Court for Frederick County.
(C) The Human Relations Department or other party may appeal a decision or order of the Human Relations Commission to the Circuit Court for Frederick County in accordance with Title 7, Chapter 200 of the Maryland Rules.
(D) The Human Relations Commission may be a party to an appeal made to the Circuit Court for Frederick County.
(E) In employment cases, an award of monetary damages:
(1) May not exceed a 36-month period; and
(2) Shall be reduced by any earnings received during that period or any amounts earnable during that period with reasonable diligence by the employee discriminated against.
(F) In public accommodations cases and housing cases, an award of relief is restricted to actual monetary damages and equitable relief.
(Ord. 03-20-343, 12-16-2003; Ord. 14-23-678, 11-13-2014)