Sec. 502.015. CIVIL PENALTY; INJUNCTION. (a) If it appears that an employer has violated, is violating, or is threatening to violate this chapter or any rule adopted or order issued under this chapter, the department may request the attorney general or the district, county, or city attorney of the municipality or county in which the violation has occurred, is occurring, or may occur to institute a civil suit for:

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

(2) the assessment and recovery of a civil penalty for a violation; or

(3) both the injunctive relief and the civil penalty.

(b) The penalty may be in an amount not to exceed $2,000 a day for each violation, with a total not to exceed $20,000 for that violation.

(c) In determining the amount of the penalty, the court shall consider the employer's history of previous violations, the seriousness of the violation, any hazard to health and safety of the public, the demonstrated good faith of the employer charged, and other matters as justice may require.

(d) Any civil penalty recovered in a suit instituted by the attorney general under this chapter shall be deposited in the state treasury to the credit of the general revenue fund. Any civil penalty recovered in a suit instituted by a local government under this chapter shall be paid to the local government.

(e) This section does not affect any other right of an employee or any other employer to receive compensation for damages under other law.

Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 528, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993.

Amended by:

Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1 (S.B. 219), Sec. 3.1287, eff. April 2, 2015.