(a) Whenever the Commissioner finds, after notice and hearing, that a person has committed sexual abuse as defined in subdivision 6902(1)(D) of this title, sexual exploitation as defined in subdivision 6902(6)(D), exploitation as defined in subdivision 6902(6)(A) or (B) in an amount in excess of $500.00, abuse which causes grievous injury to or the death of a vulnerable adult, or neglect which causes grievous injury to or the death of a vulnerable adult, the Commissioner may impose an administrative penalty of not more than $10,000.00 for each violation. The Commissioner shall notify the Office of Professional Regulation, or any other professional licensing board applicable to the violator, of any decision made pursuant to this subsection.

(b) Whenever the Commissioner finds, after notice and hearing, that a mandatory reporter, as defined in subdivisions 6903(a)(1), (2), (3), (4), and (5) of this title, has willfully violated the provisions of subsection 6903(a), the Commissioner may impose an administrative penalty not to exceed $500.00 per violation. For purposes of this subsection, every 24 hours that a report is not made beyond the period for reporting required by subsection 6903(a) shall constitute a new and separate violation, and a mandatory reporter shall be liable for an administrative penalty of not more than $500.00 for each 24-hour period, not to exceed a maximum penalty of $5,000.00 per reportable incident.

(c) A person who is aggrieved by a decision under subsection (a) or (b) of this section may appeal that decision to the Superior Court where either party may request trial by jury. (Added 1985, No. 78, § 13; amended 1993, No. 100, § 8; 2001, No. 135 (Adj. Sess.), § 8, eff. June 13, 2002; 2005, No. 79, § 4.)