§16-5E-6. Enforcement; criminal penalties.

(a) Any service provider who fails to register with the director shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be fined not less than $500 or more than $2,500 or imprisoned in jail not less than ten days, or more than thirty days after notice by certified mail by the director to such service provider of the requirements of this article.

(b) Any person who interferes with or impedes in any way the lawful enforcement of the provisions of this article is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be fined not less than $500 or more than $2,500 or imprisoned in the jail not less than ten days, or more than thirty: Provided, That prior to July 1, 1989, no such penalty may be imposed upon a service provider until thirty days after notice by certified mail by the director to the service provider at the requirements of this article.

(c) If after investigating a complaint, the director determines that the home is housing more than three residents, the director shall assess a civil penalty of $50 per day per the number of residents exceeding three. Each day the violation continues, after the date of citation shall constitute a separate violation. The date of citation is the date the facility receives the written statement of deficiencies.

(d) The director may in his or her discretion bring an action to enforce compliance with the provisions of this article.

(e) The circuit court of Kanawha County or the circuit court of the county in which the conduct occurred shall have jurisdiction in all civil enforcement actions brought under this article and may order equitable relief without bond.