Sec. 141.015. CIVIL PENALTY; INJUNCTION. (a) A person who violates this chapter or a rule or order adopted under this chapter is subject to a civil penalty of not less than $50 or more than $1,000 for each act of violation.

(b) If it appears that a person has violated, is violating, or is threatening to violate this chapter or a rule or order adopted under this chapter, the department may bring a civil action in a district court for:

(1) injunctive relief to restrain the person from continuing the violation or threat of violation;

(2) the assessment of a civil penalty; or

(3) both injunctive relief and a civil penalty.

(c) The district court, on a finding that the person is violating this chapter or a rule or order adopted under this chapter, shall grant the injunctive relief, assess a civil penalty, or both, as warranted by the facts.

(d) The department may petition a district court for a temporary restraining order to immediately halt a violation or other action creating an emergency condition if it appears that a person:

(1) is violating or threatening to violate this chapter or a rule or order adopted under this chapter; or

(2) is taking any other action that creates an emergency condition that constitutes an imminent danger to the health, safety, or welfare of campers at a youth camp.

(e) An action for injunctive relief, recovery of a civil penalty, or both, may be brought in the county in which the defendant resides or in which the violation or threat of violation occurs.

(f) In an action for injunctive relief under this section, the court may grant any prohibitory or mandatory injunction warranted by the facts, including temporary restraining orders, temporary injunctions, and permanent injunctions. The court shall grant injunctive relief without a bond or other undertaking by the department.

(g) An appellate court shall give precedence to an action brought under this section over other cases of a different nature on the docket of the court.

(h) A civil penalty recovered in an action brought by the department under this chapter shall be deposited to the credit of the youth camp health and safety fund.

Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 678, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1989. Renumbered from Sec. 141.014 by Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 251, Sec. 4, eff. Sept. 1, 1991.