(a)  Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, any person who violates Section 11836.10 may be assessed by the department an immediate civil penalty in the amount of two hundred dollars ($200) per day of the violation. The civil penalty shall be imposed if an unlicensed program is operated and the operator refuses to seek licensure or the operator’s licensure application is denied and the operator continues to operate the unlicensed program.

(b)  In addition to suspension or revocation of a license issued under this chapter, the department may levy a civil penalty against any program provider who is not in compliance with statutes and regulations.

(1)  The amount of the civil penalty shall not be less than twenty-five dollars ($25) or more than fifty dollars ($50) per day for each violation of this chapter 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 the civil penalty assessment for noncompliance exceed one hundred fifty dollars ($150) per day, or a total of five thousand dollars ($5,000).

(2)  Prior to the assessment of any civil penalty other than a civil penalty specified in paragraph (1) or (3), the program provider shall have a minimum of 30 days to correct the deficiency.

(3)  Any program provider that is cited for repeating the same violation of this chapter within a 12-month period is subject to an immediate civil penalty of one hundred fifty dollars ($150) and fifty dollars ($50) for each day the violation continues until the deficiency is corrected. In no event shall the total fine exceed five thousand dollars ($5,000).

(4)  The suspension, revocation, forfeiture, or surrender of a license issued by the department shall not deprive the department of its authority to institute or continue a disciplinary proceeding against a licensee upon any grounds provided for in law or to enter and order suspending or revoking the license or otherwise taking disciplinary action against the licensee.

(c)  An operator may appeal the assessment to the director, and if the matter is unresolved at that stage, the operator may appeal the director’s decision in accordance with Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 11500) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code.

(Amended by Stats. 1993, Ch. 589, Sec. 92. Effective January 1, 1994.)