(a)  In addition to the penalties of suspension or revocation of a license issued under this chapter, the department may also levy a civil penalty for violation of this chapter or the regulations adopted pursuant to this chapter.

(1)  The amount of the civil penalty, as determined by the department, shall not be less than two hundred fifty dollars ($250) or more than five hundred dollars ($500) per day for each violation, except where the nature or seriousness of the violation or the frequency of the violation warrants a higher penalty or an immediate civil penalty assessment, or both, as determined by the department. In no event shall a civil penalty assessment exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000) per day.

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(2)  A licensee that is cited for repeating the same violation within 24 months of the first violation is subject to an immediate civil penalty of five hundred dollars ($500) and seven hundred fifty dollars ($750) for each day the violation continues until the deficiency is corrected.

(3)  A licensee that has been assessed a civil penalty pursuant to paragraph (2) that repeats the same violation within 24 months of the violation subject to paragraph (2) is subject to an immediate civil penalty of five hundred dollars ($500) and one thousand dollars ($1,000) for each day the violation continues until the deficiency is corrected.

(b)  Prior to the assessment of any civil penalty, the department shall provide the licensee with notice requiring the licensee to correct the deficiency within the period of time specified in the notice.

(Amended by Stats. 2018, Ch. 775, Sec. 6. (AB 3162) Effective January 1, 2019.)