                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

CIVIL ACTION BY ATTORNEY GENERAL (§ 2.2-3906)

A. 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 chapter, or that any person
or group of persons has been denied any of the rights granted by this chapter
and such denial raises an issue of general public importance, the Attorney
General may commence a civil action in the appropriate circuit court for
appropriate relief.

B. In such civil action, the court may:

   1. Award such preventive relief, including a permanent or temporary
   injunction, restraining order, or other order against the person responsible
   for a violation of this chapter, as is necessary to assure the full enjoyment
   of the rights granted by this chapter.

   2. 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. Such civil penalties are payable to the
   Literary Fund.

   3. Award a prevailing plaintiff reasonable attorney fees and costs.

C. The court or jury may award such other relief to the aggrieved person as the
court deems appropriate, including compensatory damages and punitive damages.

D. Upon timely application, any person may intervene in a civil action commenced
by the Attorney General under subsection A that involves an alleged
discriminatory practice pursuant to this chapter with respect to which such
person is an aggrieved person. 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 &#xA7; 2.2-3908.

HISTORY: 2020, c. 1140.