(a)      (1)      (i)      In accordance with this section, an aggrieved person may commence a civil action in an appropriate State court not later than 2 years after the occurrence or the termination of an alleged discriminatory housing practice, or the breach of a conciliation agreement entered into under this subtitle, whichever occurs last, to obtain appropriate relief for the discriminatory housing practice or breach.

                  (ii)      Except as provided in subparagraph (iii) of this paragraph, the computation of the 2-year period shall not include any time during which an administrative proceeding under this subtitle was pending for a complaint or charge based on the discriminatory housing practice.

                  (iii)      Subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph does not apply to actions arising from a breach of a conciliation agreement.

            (2)      Except as provided in paragraph (3) of this subsection, an aggrieved person may commence a civil action under this subsection not sooner than 130 days after a complaint has been filed under § 27 of this subtitle and regardless of the status of any complaint.

            (3)      (i)      If the Commission or a State or local agency has obtained a conciliation agreement with the consent of an aggrieved person, no action may be filed under this subsection by the aggrieved person for the alleged discriminatory housing practice that forms the basis for the complaint except for the purpose of enforcing the terms of the agreement.

                  (ii)      An aggrieved person may not commence a civil action under this subsection with respect to an alleged discriminatory housing practice that forms the basis of a charge issued by the Commission if a hearing on the record under this subtitle with respect to such charge has been commenced by an administrative law judge.

      (b)      On application by a person alleging a discriminatory housing practice or a person against whom a discriminatory housing practice is alleged, the court may:

            (1)      Appoint an attorney for the person; or

            (2)      If in the opinion of the court the person is financially unable to bear the costs of the action, authorize the commencement or continuation of a civil action under subsection (a) of this section without the payment of fees, costs, or security.

      (c)      (1)      In a civil action under subsection (a) of this section, if the court finds that a discriminatory housing practice has occurred, the court may award to the plaintiff actual and punitive damages and, subject to subsection (d) of this section, may grant as relief, as the court deems appropriate, any permanent or temporary injunction, temporary restraining order, or other order, including an order enjoining the defendant from engaging in the practice or ordering affirmative action as may be appropriate.

            (2)      In a civil action under subsection (a) of this section, the court, in its discretion, may allow the prevailing party reasonable attorney's fees and costs.

      (d)      Relief granted under this section shall not affect any contract, sale, encumbrance, or lease consummated before the granting of relief and involving a bona fide purchaser, encumbrancer, or tenant, without actual notice of the filing of a complaint with the Commission or civil action under this subtitle.

      (e)      If the Commission certifies that the case is of general public importance and on timely application, the Commission may:

            (1)      Intervene in a civil action brought under this section; and

            (2)      Obtain relief as would be available to the Commission under § 34(c) of this subtitle.