A. In addition to any other remedies provided for by law, the Department, pursuant to rules and regulations, may issue a written order to any person whom the Department has reason to believe is presently in violation of any standards or rules promulgated by the State Board of Health and to whom the Department has served, no less than fifteen (15) days previously, a written notice of violation of such standards or rules. The fifteen-day notice period may be reduced as, in the opinion of the Department, may be necessary to render the order reasonably effectual.

B. The written order may require compliance with such standards or rules immediately or within a specified time period or both. The order may also assess an administrative fine for each day or part of a day that such person fails to comply with the order.

C. Any order issued pursuant to this section shall state with specificity the nature of the violation. Any penalty assessed in the order shall not exceed Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00) per day of noncompliance with the order. In assessing such a penalty, the Department shall consider the seriousness of the violation and any efforts to comply with applicable requirements.

D. Any order issued pursuant to the provisions of this section shall become a final order unless, no later than fifteen (15) days after the order is served, the person or persons named therein request an administrative hearing. Upon such request the Department shall promptly conduct the hearing. The Department shall dismiss such proceedings where compliance with the order is demonstrated. A final order following a hearing may assess an administrative fine of an amount based upon consideration of the evidence but not exceeding the amount stated in the written order.

E. Such orders and hearings are subject to the Administrative Procedures Act.¹