(a) An employer who violates this chapter shall be liable for a civil penalty as follows:
(1) A penalty of two hundred fifty dollars ($250) for the first violation;
(2) A penalty of five hundred dollars ($500) for the second violation;
(3) A penalty of one thousand dollars ($1,000) for the third and subsequent violations;
which shall be assessed and recovered in a civil action brought by the city or town solicitor, having jurisdiction over the licensed holder, in the city or town municipal court or any court of competent jurisdiction. Each day the violation is committed or permitted to continue shall constitute a separate offense and shall be punishable as a separate offense. One-half (½) of any penalty assessed and recovered in an action brought pursuant to this subsection shall be transferred to the municipality in which the civil action originated and the other one-half (½) of any penalty assessed and recovered shall be transferred to the general fund.
(b) Any fines owed under this chapter shall be paid within thirty (30) days of judgment entered. Failure to pay within thirty (30) days will result in the doubling of the penalty.
(c) In undertaking the enforcement of this chapter, the state is assuming an undertaking only to promote the general welfare. It is not assuming, nor is it imposing on its officers and employees, an obligation for breach of which it is liable in money damages to any person who claims that this breach proximately caused injury.
History of Section.
P.L. 2004, ch. 198, § 2; P.L. 2004, ch. 209, § 2.