US Code

Public Law 119-73 (01/23/2026)

42 U.S.C. § 3614

Enforcement by Attorney General

(a)

Pattern or practice cases

Whenever the Attorney General has reasonable cause to believe that any person or group of persons is engaged in a pattern or practice of resistance to the full enjoyment of any of the rights granted by this subchapter, or that any group of persons has been denied any of the rights granted by this subchapter and such denial raises an issue of general public importance, the Attorney General may commence a civil action in any appropriate United States district court.

(b)

On referral of discriminatory housing practice or conciliation agreement for enforcement

(1)
(A)
section 3610(g) of this title The Attorney General may commence a civil action in any appropriate United States district court for appropriate relief with respect to a discriminatory housing practice referred to the Attorney General by the Secretary under .
(B)
A civil action under this paragraph may be commenced not later than the expiration of 18 months after the date of the occurrence or the termination of the alleged discriminatory housing practice.
(2)
(A)
section 3610(c) of this title The Attorney General may commence a civil action in any appropriate United States district court for appropriate relief with respect to breach of a conciliation agreement referred to the Attorney General by the Secretary under .
(B)
section 3610(c) of this title A civil action may be commenced under this paragraph not later than the expiration of 90 days after the referral of the alleged breach under .
(c)

Enforcement of subpoenas

The Attorney General, on behalf of the Secretary, or other party at whose request a subpoena is issued, under this subchapter, may enforce such subpoena in appropriate proceedings in the United States district court for the district in which the person to whom the subpoena was addressed resides, was served, or transacts business.

(d)

Relief which may be granted in civil actions under subsections (a) and (b)

(1)
In a civil action under subsection (a) or (b), the court—
(A)
may award such preventive relief, including a permanent or temporary injunction, restraining order, or other order against the person responsible for a violation of this subchapter as is necessary to assure the full enjoyment of the rights granted by this subchapter;
(B)
may award such other relief as the court deems appropriate, including monetary damages to persons aggrieved; and
(C)
may, to vindicate the public interest, assess a civil penalty against the respondent—
(i)
in an amount not exceeding $50,000, for a first violation; and
(ii)
in an amount not exceeding $100,000, for any subsequent violation.
(2)
section 2412 of title 28 In a civil action under this section, the court, in its discretion, may allow the prevailing party, other than the United States, a reasonable attorney’s fee and costs. The United States shall be liable for such fees and costs to the extent provided by .
(e)

Intervention in civil actions

section 3613 of this titleUpon timely application, any person may intervene in a civil action commenced by the Attorney General under subsection (a) or (b) which involves an alleged discriminatory housing practice with respect to which such person is an aggrieved person or a conciliation agreement to which such person is a party. The court may grant such appropriate relief to any such intervening party as is authorized to be granted to a plaintiff in a civil action under .

Pub. L. 90–284, title VIII, § 814Pub. L. 100–430, § 8(2)102 Stat. 1634(, as added , , .)

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

Pub. L. 90–284, title VIII, § 81482 Stat. 88Pub. L. 98–620, title IV, § 402(40)98 Stat. 3360A prior section 3614, , , , related to expedition of court proceedings under section 3612 or 3613 of this title, prior to repeal by , , .

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

section 13(a) of Pub. L. 100–430section 3601 of this titleSection effective on 180th day beginning after , see , set out as an Effective Date of 1988 Amendment note under .