(a) If, after examination or investigation, the commissioner has reasonable grounds to believe that any person is conducting business in violation of any provision of this division or related rule or order binding upon it, the commissioner may, by written order addressed to the person, direct the discontinuance of the violation. The order shall be effective immediately, but shall not become final except in accordance with subdivision (b).

(b) An order issued pursuant to this section shall not become final except after notice to the affected person of the commissioner’s intention to make the order final and of the reasons for the finding. The commissioner shall also notify the person that upon receiving a request the matter shall be set for hearing to commence within 15 business days after receipt of the request. The person may consent to have the hearing commence at a later date. If no hearing is requested within 60 days after the mailing or service of the required notice, and none is ordered by the commissioner, the order may become final without a hearing and that person shall immediately discontinue the practices named in the order. If a hearing is requested or ordered it shall be held in accordance with Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 11500) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, and the commissioner shall have all of the powers granted under that chapter. If, upon the conclusion of the hearing, it appears to the commissioner that the person is violating any provision of this division or any related rule or order binding upon it, the commissioner shall make the order of discontinuance final and the person shall immediately discontinue the practices named in the order.

(Added by Stats. 2004, Ch. 458, Sec. 12. Effective September 10, 2004. Operative January 1, 2005, by Sec. 19 of Ch. 458.)