A person may not operate a private, inpatient facility unless licensed by the Department. A person who operates a private, inpatient facility in violation of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to a fine not exceeding $10,000. An employee, officer, operator, or director of a private, inpatient facility or any other person, who knowingly participates in a violation of this section, is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to a fine not exceeding $5,000 or imprisonment not exceeding 1 year or both. In addition to any other penalties specified in this section, an individual who is admitted or held against the individual’s will by a person who is operating a private, inpatient facility without a license may recover civil damages from that person and from any other person who knowingly participates in the admission or detention.

A person may not: Knowingly make a false application or certificate in connection with the admission or detention of any individual; or Detain an individual in a manner contrary to Subtitle 6 or Subtitle 8 of this title. A person who violates any provision of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to a fine not exceeding $5,000 or imprisonment not exceeding 2 years or both. In addition to any other penalties specified in this section, a person who willfully violates any provision of this section is liable for civil damages sustained by the individual who is admitted or detained unlawfully.

A person may not interfere knowingly with the rights of an individual under § 10-701, § 10-702, § 10-703, § 10-704, § 10-706, or § 10-707 of this title. A person who violates any provision of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to a fine not exceeding $5,000 or imprisonment not exceeding 2 years or both.

A person who fails to comply with any provision of § 10-709 of this title, as to records, is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to a fine not exceeding $5,000 or imprisonment not exceeding 2 years or both.