
From the U.S. Code Online via GPO Access
[wais.access.gpo.gov]
[Laws in effect as of January 23, 2000]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
  January 23, 2000 and December 4, 2001]
[CITE: 42USC2000a-3]

 
                 TITLE 42--THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE
 
                        CHAPTER 21--CIVIL RIGHTS
 
                  SUBCHAPTER II--PUBLIC ACCOMMODATIONS
 
Sec. 2000a-3. Civil actions for injunctive relief


(a) Persons aggrieved; intervention by Attorney General; legal 
        representation; commencement of action without payment of fees, 
        costs, or security

    Whenever any person has engaged or there are reasonable grounds to 
believe that any person is about to engage in any act or practice 
prohibited by section 2000a-2 of this title, a civil action for 
preventive relief, including an application for a permanent or temporary 
injunction, restraining order, or other order, may be instituted by the 
person aggrieved and, upon timely application, the court may, in its 
discretion, permit the Attorney General to intervene in such civil 
action if he certifies that the case is of general public importance. 
Upon application by the complainant and in such circumstances as the 
court may deem just, the court may appoint an attorney for such 
complainant and may authorize the commencement of the civil action 
without the payment of fees, costs, or security.

(b) Attorney's fees; liability of United States for costs

    In any action commenced pursuant to this subchapter, the court, in 
its discretion, may allow the prevailing party, other than the United 
States, a reasonable attorney's fee as part of the costs, and the United 
States shall be liable for costs the same as a private person.

(c) State or local enforcement proceedings; notification of State or 
        local authority; stay of Federal proceedings

    In the case of an alleged act or practice prohibited by this 
subchapter which occurs in a State, or political subdivision of a State, 
which has a State or local law prohibiting such act or practice and 
establishing or authorizing a State or local authority to grant or seek 
relief from such practice or to institute criminal proceedings with 
respect thereto upon receiving notice thereof, no civil action may be 
brought under subsection (a) of this section before the expiration of 
thirty days after written notice of such alleged act or practice has 
been given to the appropriate State or local authority by registered 
mail or in person, provided that the court may stay proceedings in such 
civil action pending the termination of State or local enforcement 
proceedings.

(d) References to Community Relations Service to obtain voluntary 
        compliance; duration of reference; extension of period

    In the case of an alleged act or practice prohibited by this 
subchapter which occurs in a State, or political subdivision of a State, 
which has no State or local law prohibiting such act or practice, a 
civil action may be brought under subsection (a) of this section: 
Provided, That the court may refer the matter to the Community Relations 
Service established by subchapter VIII of this chapter for as long as 
the court believes there is a reasonable possibility of obtaining 
voluntary compliance, but for not more than sixty days: Provided 
further, That upon expiration of such sixty-day period, the court may 
extend such period for an additional period, not to exceed a cumulative 
total of one hundred and twenty days, if it believes there then exists a 
reasonable possibility of securing voluntary compliance.

(Pub. L. 88-352, title II, Sec. 204, July 2, 1964, 78 Stat. 244.)

                  Section Referred to in Other Sections

    This section is referred to in sections 2000a-4, 12188 of this 
title.
