17:30E-17. Suspension, revocation; penalties

a. The commissioner may suspend or revoke, after notice and a hearing, the certificate of authority of any member insurer or the license of any producer who willfully fails to comply with the provisions of this act or the regulations or plan of operation promulgated thereunder. In addition to or in lieu of suspension or revocation, any member company violating the provisions of this act or the regulations or plan of operation promulgated thereunder may be fined by the commissioner up to $10,000.00 for each such violation; and any producer violating the provisions of this act or the regulations or plan of operation promulgated thereunder may be fined by the commissioner up to $5,000.00 for each violation. These penalties shall be enforced and collected by the commissioner in the name of the State pursuant to "the penalty enforcement law" (N.J.S. 2A:58-1 et seq.).

b. If, after notice and opportunity to be heard, the board finds that a producer has violated the provisions of this act or the regulations, plan of operation or standards promulgated pursuant to this act, the board shall notify the commissioner and may request the commissioner to temporarily suspend the producer's authority to write new association business. The commissioner may issue an order suspending the producer's authority to write new association business, pending a hearing which shall be held within 20 days of the issuance of the order. If, after a hearing, the commissioner finds that the producer has violated the provisions of this act or the regulations, plan of operation or standards promulgated pursuant to this act, he shall take appropriate disciplinary action, including suspension or revocation of the producer's license or producer's authority to write business for the association, or both.

c. In the event the association sustains a financial loss due to any act or omission of any producer, member company or servicing carrier which violates any statutory, contractual or plan of operation requirement, the commissioner may, in addition or as an alternative to the penalties provided in subsections a. and b. of this section, order the restitution of any moneys owed to the association, and the reimbursement of reasonable costs of investigation and prosecution.

L. 1983, c. 65, s. 29; amended 1988,c.119.s.42.