The rights granted by §§ 157.03 - 157.06 may be enforced by civil actions in state courts of general jurisdiction. A civil action shall be commenced within one hundred and eighty (180) days after the alleged discriminatory housing practice occurred, provided however, that the court shall continue such civil case brought pursuant to this section or sections 157.10(D) from time to time before bringing it to trial if the court believes that the conciliation efforts of the Mayor are likely to result in satisfactory settlement of the discriminatory housing practice complaint or in the compliant made to the Mayor and which practice forms the basis for the action in court and provided however, that any sale encumbrance, or rental consummated prior to the issuance of any court order issued under the authority of this chapter, and involving a bona fidepurchaser, encumbrancer, or tenant without actual notice of the existence of the filing of a complaint or civil action under the provision of this chapter shall not be affected.
(B) The court may grant as relief, as it deems appropriate, any permanent or temporary injunction, temporary restraining order, or other order, and may award to the plaintiff actual damages and not more than $1,000 punitive damages, together with court costs and reasonable attorney fees in the case of a prevailing plaintiff, provided that the said plaintiff in the opinion of the court is not financially able to assume said attorney's fees.
(Ord. 94-1023, passed 6-23-94)