(a) Assessment.--The department may assess a civil penalty of not more than $1,000 upon a person for each violation.

(b) Contest.--If a civil penalty is assessed against a person under subsection (a), the department shall notify the person by certified mail of the nature of the violation and the amount of the civil penalty and that the person may notify the department in writing within ten calendar days that he wishes to contest the civil penalty. If within ten calendar days from the receipt of that notification the person does not notify the department of his intent to contest the assessed penalty, the civil penalty shall become final.

(c) Hearing and appeal.--If timely notification of the intent to contest the civil penalty is given, the person contesting the civil penalty shall be provided with a hearing in accordance with 2 Pa.C.S. Ch. 5 Subch. A (relating to practice and procedure of Commonwealth agencies). Appeals may be taken in accordance with 2 Pa.C.S. Ch. 7 Subch. A (relating to judicial review of Commonwealth agency action).