Sec. 301.132.  PATTERN OR PRACTICE CASE.  (a)  On the request of the commission, the attorney general may file a civil action in district court for appropriate relief if the commission has reasonable cause to believe that:
(1)  a person is engaged in a pattern or practice of resistance to the full enjoyment of a right granted under this chapter;  or
(2)  a person has been denied a right granted by this chapter and that denial raises an issue of general public importance.
(b)  In an action under this section the court may:
(1)  award preventive relief, including a permanent or temporary injunction, restraining order, or other order against the person responsible for a violation of this chapter as necessary to assure the full enjoyment of the rights granted by this chapter;
(2)  award other appropriate relief, including monetary damages, reasonable attorney fees, and court costs;  and
(3)  to vindicate the public interest, assess a civil penalty against the respondent in an amount that does not exceed:
(A)  $50,000 for a first violation;  and
(B)  $100,000 for a second or subsequent violation.
(c)  A person may intervene in an action under this section if the person is:
(1)  a person aggrieved by the discriminatory housing practice;  or
(2)  a party to a conciliation agreement concerning the discriminatory housing practice.
Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 40, eff. Sept. 1, 1993.