Enforcement by States

(a) In general (1) Civil actions In any case in which the attorney general of a State has reason to believe that an interest of the residents of that State has been or is threatened or adversely affected by the engagement of any person in a practice that violates this Act, the State, as parens patriae, may bring a civil action on behalf of the residents of the State in a district court of the United States of appropriate jurisdiction to— (A) enjoin that practice; (B) enforce compliance with the regulation; (C) obtain damages, restitution, or other compensation on behalf of residents of the State; or (D) obtain such other relief as the court may consider to be appropriate. (2) Notice (A) In general Before filing an action under paragraph (1), the attorney general of the State involved shall provide to the Commission— (i) a written notice of that action; and (ii) a copy of the complaint for that action. (B) Exemption (i) In general Subparagraph (A) shall not apply with respect to the filing of an action by an attorney general of a State under this subsection, if the attorney general determines that it is not feasible to provide the notice described in that subparagraph before the filing of the action. (ii) Notification In an action described in clause (i), the attorney general of a State shall provide notice and a copy of the complaint to the Commission at the same time as the attorney general files the action. (b) Intervention (1) In general On receiving notice under subsection (a)(2), the Commission shall have the right to intervene in the action that is the subject of the notice. (2) Effect of intervention If the Commission intervenes in an action under subsection (a), it shall have the right— (A) to be heard with respect to any matter that arises in that action; and (B) to file a petition for appeal. (c) Construction For purposes of bringing any civil action under subsection (a), nothing in this chapter shall be construed to prevent an attorney general of a State from exercising the powers conferred on the attorney general by the laws of that State to— (1) conduct investigations; (2) administer oaths or affirmations; or (3) compel the attendance of witnesses or the production of documentary and other evidence. (d) Actions by the Commission In any case in which an action is instituted by or on behalf of the Commission for a violation of this Act, no State may, during the pendency of that action, institute an action under subsection (a) against any defendant named in the complaint in that action for such violation. (e) Venue; service of process (1) Venue Any action brought under subsection (a) may be brought in the district court of the United States that meets applicable requirements relating to venue under section 1391 of title 28, United States Code. (2) Service of process In an action brought under subsection (a), process may be served in any district in which the defendant— (A) is an inhabitant; or (B) may be found.