(1) Purpose. Pursuant to Sections 450.31, 450.36, and 450.38, F.S., the Department provides within this rule, disciplinary guidelines, which shall be imposed upon any person, firm, association, or corporation that commits a violation of Florida Statutes Chapter 450, Part III, or any rules promulgated pursuant thereto. The purpose of this rule is to notify any person, firm, business entity, association, or corporation of the range of penalties which would routinely be imposed for the most common violations unless the Department finds it necessary to deviate from the guidelines for the stated reasons given within this rule. The lowest range of penalties provided below is based upon a single count violation of each provision listed; multiple counts of the violated provision or a combination of violations may result in a higher penalty than that for a single, isolated violation. This list is not intended to be all inclusive of the potential violations that could be found.
    (2) Major Violations and Range of Penalties. In imposing discipline upon applicants and registrants, in proceedings pursuant to Sections 120.57(1) and (2), F.S., the Department shall act in accordance with the following disciplinary guidelines and shall impose a penalty within the range corresponding to the violations set forth below. The verbal identification of offenses are descriptive only; the full language of each statutory provision cited must be consulted in order to determine the conduct included. The Department may consider any prior violation when determining the severity of a penalty. Any agreed settlement stipulation or consent order, as provided for in subsection (4) of this rule, is an offense notwithstanding the failure to admit or deny guilt in the prior case. For any fourth or subsequent violation, the penalty is revocation.
    RANGE OF PENALTIES
VIOLATION
FIRST OFF.
SECOND OFF.
THIRD OFF.
(a) Acting as a Farm Labor Contractor Without Certificate of Registration (Florida Statutes § 450.30(1))
1. Threat of economic or physical harm
$500.00
$1,500.00
$2,500.00
2. Actual economic or physical harm
$1,000.00
$1,750.00
$2,500.00
(b) Misrepresentation or False Statement in Application for Certificate of Registration (Sections 450.31(2)(b), 450.34(1), F.S.)
1. Threat of economic or physical harm
$500.00
$1,000.00
$1,750.00
2. Actual economic or physical harm
$750.00
$1,500.00
$2,500.00
(c) Misrepresentation Concerning Terms, Conditions or Existence of Employment (Sections 450.31(2)(c), 450.34(2), F.S.)
1. Threat of economic or physical harm
$500.00
$1,000.00
$1,750.00
2. Actual economic or physical harm
$750.00
$1,500.00
$2,500.00
(d) Failure to Pay Wages When Due (Florida Statutes § 450.33(2))
Actual economic or physical harm
$1,000.00
$1,500.00
$2,500.00
(e) Failure to Honor Agreement (Florida Statutes § 450.33(3))
1. Threat of economic or physical harm
$500.00
$1,000.00
$1,500.00
2. Actual economic or physical harm
$1,000.00
$1,500.00
$2,500.00
(f) Failure to Take Out Policy of Insurance or Obtain Sufficient Amount of Insurance (Florida Statutes § 450.33(5))
1. Threat of economic or physical harm
$1,000.00
$1,250.00
$1,500.00
2. Actual economic or physical harm
$1,000.00
$1,500.00
$2,500.00
(g) Failure to Provide Wage Statements (Florida Statutes § 450.33(7))
1. Threat of economic or physical harm
$500.00
$1,000.00
$1,500.00
2. Actual economic or physical harm
$750.00
$1,500.00
$2,500.00
(h) Failure to Ensure Vehicle Safety No Vehicle Inspection (Florida Statutes § 450.33(8))
1. Threat of economic or physical harm
$1,000.00
$2,000.00
$2,500.00
2. Actual economic or physical harm
$1,500.00
$2,500.00
$2,500.00
(i) Failure to Deduct Proper Amounts From Pay (Sections 450.33(7), F.S.)
1. Threat of economic or physical harm
$500.00
$1,000.00
$1,500.00
2. Actual economic or physical harm
$750.00
$1,500.00
$2,500.00
(j) No Valid Driver’s License, Not Proper Class (Florida Statutes § 450.33(9); 29 C.F.R. § 500.100(a); 29 C.F.R. § 500.105(b)(1)(iii)(E))
1. Threat of economic or physical harm
$500.00
$1,000.00
$1,500.00
2. Actual economic or physical harm
$1,000.00
$1,500.00
$2,500.00
(k) Transporting Workers in Unsafe Vehicles (Florida Statutes § 450.33(9); 29 C.F.R. § 500.101(a) & (b); 29 C.F.R. § 500.102(a) & (b))
1. Threat of economic or physical harm
$1,000.00
$2,000.00
$2,500.00
2. Actual economic or physical harm
$1,500.00
$2,500.00
$2,500.00
(l) Unsafe Transportation of Fuel (Florida Statutes § 450.33(9); 29 C.F.R. § 500.105(b)(2)(xiii))
1. Threat of economic or physical harm
$750.00
$1,500.00
$1,750.00
2. Actual economic or physical harm
$1,000.00
$1,750.00
$2,500.00
(m) Transporting Workers in Overloaded Vehicle (Florida Statutes § 450.33(9); 29 C.F.R. § 500.105(b)(2)(vii)(E) & 29 C.F.R. § 500.105(b)(3)(vi)(d))
1. Threat of economic or physical harm
$1,000.00
$1,500.00
$1,750.00
2. Actual economic or physical harm
$1,500.00
$2,000.00
$2,500.00
(n) Unsafe Operation of Transportation Vehicle (Florida Statutes § 450.33(9); 29 C.F.R. § 500.105(b)(2)(i))
1. Threat of economic or physical harm
$500.00
$1,000.00
$1,750.00
2. Actual economic or physical harm
$750.00
$1,500.00
$2,500.00
(o) Sexual Harassment (Sections 450.33(9); 760.10 F.S.)
1. Threat of economic or physical harm
$1,000.00
$1,500.00
$2,500.00
2. Actual economic or physical harm
$1,500.00
$2,000.00
$2,500.00
(p) Transportation Unauthorized (Section 450.33(9) F.S.; 29 C.F.R. § 500.71)
1. Threat of economic or physical harm
$1,000.00
$2,000.00
$2,500.00
2. Actual economic or physical harm
$1,500.00
$2,500.00
$2,500.00
(q) Driver Unauthorized (Florida Statutes § 450.33(9); 29 C.F.R. § 500.105(b)(2)(xiv))
1. Threat of economic or physical harm
$1,000.00
$2,000.00
$2,500.00
2. Actual economic or physical harm
$1,500.00
$2,500.00
$2,500.00
(r) Compliance with Housing Requirements (Florida Statutes § 450.33(9); 29 C.F.R. § 500.132)
1. Threat of economic or physical harm
$500.00
$1,500.00
$1,750.00
2. Actual economic or physical harm
$1,000.00
$1,750.00
$2,500.00
(s) No Field Toilet Facilities (Florida Statutes § 450.33(9); subsection 64E-14.016(1), F.A.C.; 29 C.F.R. § 1928.110(c) (2))
Actual economic or physical harm
$750.00
$1,500.00
$2,500.00
(t) No Drinking Water (Florida Statutes § 450.33(9); subsection 64E-14.016(4), F.A.C.; 29 C.F.R. § 1928.110(c)(1))
Actual economic or physical harm
$750.00
$1,500.00
$2,500.00
(u) Failure to Maintain Daily Field Records (Florida Statutes § 450.33(10))
1. Threat of economic or physical harm
$500.00
$1,000.00
$1,500.00
2. Actual economic or physical harm
$750.00
$1,500.00
$2,500.00
(v) Unlawful Wage Deductions (Florida Statutes § 450.34(3))
Actual economic or physical harm
$1,000.00
$1,750.00
$2,500.00
(w) Retaliation (Florida Statutes § 450.34(4))
1. Threat of economic or physical harm
$1,000.00
$1,500.00
$1,750.00
2. Actual economic or physical harm
$1,500.00
$1,750.00
$2,500.00
(x) Utilization of Unregistered Farm Labor Contractor (Sections 450.34(5), 450.35, F.S.)
1. Threat of economic or physical harm
$500.00
$1,000.00
$1,750.00
2. Actual economic or physical harm
$1,000.00
$1,750.00
$2,500.00
(y) Required Purchase or Unreasonable Cost (Sections 450.39(1), (2), F.S.)
1. Threat of economic or physical harm
$1,000.00
$1,500.00
$1,750.00
2. Actual economic or physical harm
$1,500.00
$1,750.00
$2,500.00
(z) Failure to Maintain a Charged Fire Extinguisher (Florida Statutes § 450.33(9); 29 C.F.R. § 500.105(b)(2)(vi))
1. Threat of economic or physical harm
$1,000.00
$1,250.00
$1,500.00
2. Actual economic or physical harm
$1,500.00
$2,000.00
$2,500.00
(aa) Failure to Maintain Payroll Records (Florida Statutes § 450.33(9); 29 C.F.R. § 500.80)
1. Threat of economic or physical harm
$500.00
$1,000.00
$1,750.00
2. Actual economic or physical harm
$1,000.00
$1,750.00
$2,500.00
    (3) Aggravating and Mitigating Circumstances. Based upon consideration of aggravating and mitigating factors present in each individual case, the Department may deviate from the penalties recommended above. The Department shall consider as aggravating or mitigating factors the following;
    (a) Exposure of worker(s) to injury, physical or economic;
    (b) Legal status of the certificate of registration at the time of the offense;
    (c) The number of counts or separate offenses;
    (d) The number of times the same or substantially similar offense or offenses have previously been committed by the registrant or applicant, regardless of the jurisdiction in which the offense was committed;
    (e) The disciplinary history of the applicant or registrant in any jurisdiction, including federal, and the length of registration;
    (f) Pecuniary benefit or self-gain inuring to the registrant;
    (g) Whether the violation was corrected as soon as possible;
    (h) Whether the penalty would cause significant financial hardship to the registrant;
    (i) Whether the registrant and/or the registrant’s employees have completed a continuing education course or instituted a training program relevant to the violations charged; and
    (j) Any other relevant mitigating factors.
    (4) Stipulations or Settlements. The provisions of this rule are not intended to and shall not be construed to limit the ability of the Department to dispose informally of disciplinary actions by stipulation, agreed settlement, or consent order pursuant to Florida Statutes § 120.57(4)
    (5) Minor Violations and Range of Penalties.
    (a) A warning shall be issued for the first minor violation.
    (b) Each successive minor violation will be assessed in increments of $250.00 up to $2,500.00. A violation committed after the maximum monetary amount of $2,500 has been reached shall result in a denial of an application for, or the revocation of, a certificate of registration. The verbal identification of offenses are descriptive only; the full language of each statutory provision cited must be consulted in order to determine the conduct included. This list is not intended to be all inclusive of the potential violations that could be found.
    1. Failure to carry Certificate of Registration (Florida Statutes § 450.33(1)),
    2. Failure to Display Poster Disclosing the Terms and Conditions of Employment (Florida Statutes § 450.33(4)),
    3. Failure to Carry a Doctor’s Certificate for Every Driver (Florida Statutes § 450.33(9); 29 C.F.R. § 500.105(b)(1)(i)(H)),
    4. Failure to Display Railroad Crossing Sign on Vehicle (Florida Statutes § 450.33(9); 29 C.F.R. § 500.105(b)(2)(xvii)),
    5. Failure to Notify of Change of Address (Florida Statutes § 450.33(9); 29 C.F.R. § 500.54),
    6. Failure to Provide Field Hand Washing Units (Florida Statutes § 450.33(9); subsections 64E-14.016(1) and (3), F.A.C., 29 C.F.R. § 1928.110(c)(2)(iii); 29 C.F.R. § 1928.110(c)(3)(iii)),
    7. Failure to provide Single Use Drinking Cups (Florida Statutes § 450.33(9); subsection 64E-14.016(4), F.A.C.; 29 C.F.R. § 1928.110(c)(1)(iii)),
    8. Failure to Label Drinking Water (Florida Statutes § 450.33(9); subsection 64E-14.016(4), F.A.C.),
    9. Failure to Provide Toilet Facilities Within One Quarter (0.25) Mile (Florida Statutes § 450.33(9); subsections 64E-14.016(1) and (3), F.A.C.; 29 C.F.R. § 1928.110(c)(2)(iii)),
    10. Failure to Provide Toilet Paper (Florida Statutes § 450.33(9); 29 C.F.R. § 1928.110(c)(2)),
    11. Failure to Keep Toilet Facilities Clean (Florida Statutes § 450.33(9); subsection 64E-14.016(2), F.A.C.; 29 C.F.R. § 1928.110(c)(3)(ii)),
    12. Failure to Provide Hand Washing Soap (Florida Statutes § 450.33(9); subsection 64E-14.016(3), F.A.C.; 29 C.F.R. § 1928.110(c)(2)),
    13. Failure to Provide Single Use Towels (Florida Statutes § 450.33(9); subsection 64E-14.016(3), F.A.C.; 29 C.F.R. § 1928.110(c)(2)),
    14. Failure to Ensure Operational External Vehicle Lights and Bulbs (Florida Statutes § 450.33(9); 29 C.F.R. § 500.104(a), 500.105(b)(2)(vi), 500.105(b)(3)(ii)),
    15. Ineffective Windshield Wiper Blades (Florida Statutes § 450.33(9); 29 C.F.R. § 500.104(g), 500.105(b)(3)(vi), 500.105(b)(2), 500.105(b)(5)),
    16. Failure to Replace or Repair Cracked Side Window (Florida Statutes § 450.33(9); 29 CFR500.104(g), 500.105(b)(3), 500.105(b)(5)),
    17. Removable Materials Blocking Vehicle Exit (Florida Statutes § 450.33(9); 29 C.F.R. § 500.105(b)(3)(vi)(F)),
    18. Materials Blocking Vehicle Taillights (Florida Statutes § 450.33(9); 29 C.F.R. § 500.105(b)(2)(xi)),
    19. Vehicle with a Bald Tire (Florida Statutes § 450.33(9); 29 C.F.R. § 500.104(c), 500.105(b)(3)(v)),
    20. Having an In-operable Vehicle Horn (Florida Statutes § 450.33(9); 29 C.F.R. § 500.104(c), 500.105(b)(2)(vi)),
    21. Failure to Properly Maintain Interior and Exterior Vehicle Mirrors (Florida Statutes § 450.33(9); 29 C.F.R. § 500.104(f), 500.105(b)(2)(vi)),
    22. Failure to Properly Maintain Windows and Window Handles (Florida Statutes § 450.33(9); 29 C.F.R. § 500.105(b)(5)).
    (6) Other Action. The provisions of this rule are not intended to and shall not be construed to limit the ability of the Department to recommend or pursue criminal actions when appropriate.
Rulemaking Authority 450.36, 450.38(3), 455.2273 FS. Law Implemented 450.30, 450.31, 450.33, 450.34, 450.35, 450.39, 455.2273 FS. History-New 11-28-85, Formerly 38B-4.12, 38H-4.012, 38H-11.012, Amended 11-22-10, 2-21-13.