§ 12-112

(a) To enforce this subtitle, the Authority:

(1) shall accept and review complaints for violations of this subtitle; and

(2) may recommend necessary enforcement actions.

(b) (1) The Authority shall:

(i) hear complaints for violations of this subtitle:

1. at the request of a probable violator; or

2. after notifying a probable violator that the Authority has scheduled a hearing on its own motion; and

(ii) after a hearing, assess a civil penalty under § 12–135 of this subtitle.

(2) The Authority may reach a settlement instead of assessing a civil penalty.

(3) If a probable violator fails to appear at a scheduled hearing, the Authority may vote to proceed to hear the complaint against the probable violator in the absence of the probable violator.

(c) (1) The Authority may:

(i) establish reasonable complaint filing fees and administrative fees for complaints heard by the Authority; and

(ii) use the services of a third party to collect civil penalties.

(2) If the Authority determines that an individual cannot afford to pay a fee established under paragraph (1)(i) of this subsection, the Authority may exempt the individual wholly or partly from the fee.

(d) The Authority may not assess a civil penalty against a person unless the person:

(1) receives reasonable prior notice of the complaint; and

(2) has an opportunity to be heard under § 12–113 of this subtitle.