<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<section article="gbr" article_name="Business Regulation" number="8-620" title_number="8" title_name="Home Improvement" subtitle_number="6" subtitle_name="Prohibited Acts; Penalties">
  <level label="a">
    <level label="1">
      <text>The Commission may impose on a person who violates this title, including § 8–607(4) of this subtitle, a civil penalty not exceeding $5,000 for each violation, whether or not the person is licensed under this title.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>The Commission shall pay any penalty collected under this subsection into the General Fund of the State.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="b">
    <text>In setting the amount of a civil penalty, the Commission shall consider:</text>
    <level label="1">
      <text>the seriousness of the violation;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>the good faith of the violator;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>any previous violations;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="4">
      <text>the harmful effect of the violation on the complainant, the public, and the business of home improvement;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="5">
      <text>the assets of the violator; and</text>
    </level>
    <level label="6">
      <text>any other relevant factors.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="c">
    <level label="1">
      <text>The Commission may establish by regulation a schedule of violations and fines to be used for civil citations issued under this title.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>A citation issued by the Commission shall include:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>the name and address of the person charged;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>the nature of the violation;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="iii">
        <text>the location and time of the violation;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="iv">
        <text>the amount of the fine;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="v">
        <text>the manner, location, and time in which the fine may be paid;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="vi">
        <text>the cited person’s right to a hearing for the violation; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="vii">
        <text>a warning that failure to pay the fine or to contest liability in a timely manner in accordance with the citation:</text>
        <level label="1">
          <text>is an admission of liability; and</text>
        </level>
        <level label="2">
          <text>may result in an entry of a default judgment that may include the fine, court costs, and administrative expenses.</text>
        </level>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>The Commission shall retain a copy of the citation.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="4">
      <text>All money collected under this subsection shall be paid in accordance with § 8–403(b) of this title.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
</section>
