(a) The undertaking of a project that requires a certificate of need, as provided in this chapter, without having first obtained a certificate of need shall (1) constitute grounds for revocation or denial of licensure, and (2) shall be deemed a violation of Section 1253.
In addition, the state department may assess and collect a civil penalty from any person undertaking a project without a certificate of need. For projects requiring a certificate of need pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 127170, the civil penalty shall not be more than five thousand dollars ($5,000). For projects requiring a certificate of need pursuant to subdivisions (b), (c), (d), or (e) of Section 127170, the civil penalty shall be two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500) or 20 percent of the cost of the project, whichever is less.
(b) A certificate of need shall expire 18 months from the date of issuance unless:
(1) The certificate holder has commenced the project covered by the certificate of need and is diligently pursuing the same to completion, as determined by the state department; or
(2) The duration of the certificate of need has been extended by the state department upon a showing of good cause. However, an extension shall not cumulatively exceed a period of 12 months beyond the original expiration date of the certificate of need.
(Added by Stats. 1995, Ch. 415, Sec. 9. Effective January 1, 1996.)