MONTGOMERY COUNTY                               2101

grounds to believe a violation has occurred, he shall attempt to conciliate
the matter by methods of initial conference and persuasion with all in-
terested parties and such representatives as the parties may choose to
assist them. In attempting such conciliation he shall utilize the good
offices of the Human Relations Commission. Conciliation conferences shall
be informal and nothing said or done during such initial conferences shall
be made public by the Commission Panel or its members or any member
of the Commission or its staff unless the parties agree thereto in writing.

(b)     The terms of conciliation agreed to by the parties may be re-
duced to writing and incorporated into a consent agreement to be signed
by the parties, which agreement is for conciliation purposes only and does
not constitute an admission by any party that the law has been violated.
Consent agreements shall be signed on behalf of the Commission Panel
by the Chairman or the Acting Chairman of the Commission Panel.

(c)     It shall be a violation of this Article to violate or fail to adhere
to any provision contained in a consent agreement. Any failure by the
Commission Panel to enforce a violation of any provision of a consent
agreement shall not constitute a waiver of any right of the Commission
Panel or provision of such agreement.

(d)     The Commission Panel is authorized to seek the cooperation of
the licensing authorities and contracting departments of the Government
of Montgomery County in connection with any investigation under this
Article by the Commission Panel of any person licensed to do business
within Montgomery County or having a contractual relationship with the
Government of Montgomery County.

(e)     If the Executive Secretary determines that the complaint lacks
reasonable grounds upon which to base a violation of this Article, he shall
so inform the Commission Panel and the Commission Panel may in its dis-
cretion dismiss such complaint or order such further investigation as may
be necessary.

(f)   If the Executive Secretary, with respect to a matter which in-
volves a violation of this Article, (i) fails to conciliate a complaint after
the parties have, in good faith, attempted such conciliation, or (ii) fails
to effect an informal conciliation agreement or a formal consent agree-
ment, or (iii) determines that a complaint is not susceptible of concilia-
tion, he shall notify the Commission Panel immediately and the Com-
mission Panel shall thereafter schedule a public hearing to determine
whether a violation of this Article has been committed. The Commission
Panel shall serve upon the respondent a statement of charges and a sum-
mons and shall serve upon all interested parties a notice of the time and
place of hearing. The respondent or his authorized counsel may file such
statements with the Commission Panel prior to the hearing date as it
deems necessary in support of its position. The hearing shall be opened
to the