974                              Laws of Maryland                       Ch. 413

within the provisions of any of these subtitles] may make, sign and
file with the Human Relations Commission (hereinafter referred to
as the "Commission") a complaint in writing under oath. The com-
plaint shall state the name and address of the person, firm, asso-
ciation, partnership, corporation, State agency, department or board
alleged to have committed the act of discrimination together with
the particulars thereof; and the complaint also shall contain such
other information as may be required from time to time by the
Commission.

(b) Whenever the Commission has received reliable information
from any individual or individuals that any person has been engaged
or is engaged in any discriminatory practice within the scope of
this article, and after a preliminary investigation by the Commis-
sion's staff authorized by the Chairman or vice-chairman [a majority
of the Commission] it is satisfied that said information warrants
the filing of a complaint, the Commission, on its own motion, and
by action of not less than four Commissioners, may issue a complaint
in its name in the same manner as if the complaint had been filed
by an individual.

16. Confidential Investigation.

(a) During the investigation of any complaint[s] alleging a vio-
lation of Section 11, 11B, 17, 18, 19, or 23 of this Article, and until
said matters reach the stage of public hearings, the activities of
all members of the Commission and employees thereof in connection
with said investigation shall be conducted in confidence and without
publicity, and the Commission shall hold confidential any information
in relation thereto, including the identity of the complainant and the
respondent, except that

(i) Any information may be released at any time if the release
has been agreed to in writing by both complainant and respondent;
and

(ii) This section shall not apply to the release of information by

the Commission or any employee thereof to the General Assembly or

any committee or member thereof acting in his official capacity or

to any local, state, or national commission and/or agency or govern-
mental authority having legally invested authority to implement or
recommend the implementation of public accommodations, fair em-
ployment, fair housing or similar laws. AND

(III) THE IDENTITY OF THE COMPLAINANT MAY BE DIS-
CLOSED TO THE RESPONDENT AT ANY TIME.

(B) ANY MEMBER OF THE COMMISSION OR EMPLOYEE
THEREOF, WHO VIOLATES THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SEC-
TION SHALL BE GUILTY OF A MISDEMEANOR, AND UPON
CONVICTION THEREOF SHALL BE FINED NOT MORE THAN
$1,000.00 OR IMPRISONED NOT MORE THAN ONE YEAR OR
LESS. BOTH.

17. Declaration of policy.

It is hereby declared to be the policy of the State of Maryland,
in the exercise of its police power for the protection of the public
safety, public health and general welfare, for the maintenance of
business and good government and for the promotion of the State's