§ 17:15C-22 — Violations, penalties.

22. a. If, after notice and hearing, the commissioner finds that a person has violated any provision of this act or a rule adopted under this act, the commissioner may order the person to pay the commissioner a civil penalty in an amount specified by the commissioner, not to exceed $5,000 for each violation. Each violation shall constitute a separate offense and the penalty under this section shall be in addition to a suspension or revocation of a license. No such proceeding shall be initiated and no penalty shall be assessed pursuant to this section until after that person has been notified in writing of the nature of the violation and has been afforded a reasonable period of time, as set forth in the notice, to correct the violation and has failed to do so. The provisions of "the penalty enforcement law," N.J.S.2A:58-1 et seq., shall apply. b. The commissioner, in the exercise of the commissioner's reasonable judgment, is authorized to compromise, settle, and collect civil penalties with any person for violations of any provision of this act, or of any rule, regulation or order issued or promulgated pursuant to this act. L.1998,c.14,s.22.