Unannotated Code of Maryland (Last Updated: May 16, 2014) |
ENVIRONMENT |
TITLE 6. TOXIC, CARCINOGENIC, AND FLAMMABLE SUBSTANCES |
SUBTITLE 9. MERCURY. |
PART II. MERCURY AND PRODUCTS THAT CONTAIN MERCURY. |
§ 6-905.6. Violations and penalties[Section subject to abrogation]
Latest version.
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(a) Criminal penalty. -- A person that violates any provision of § 6-905.4 or § 6-905.5 of this subtitle, or any regulation adopted to implement the provisions of § 6-905.4 or § 6-905.5 of this subtitle, is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to:
(1) For a first offense, a fine not exceeding $ 1,000;
(2) For a second offense, a fine not exceeding $ 2,500; and
(3) For a third or subsequent offense, a fine not exceeding $ 5,000.
(b) Civil penalty. -- A person that violates any provision of § 6-905.4 or § 6-905.5 of this subtitle, or any regulation adopted to implement the provisions of § 6-905.4 or § 6-905.5 of this subtitle, is liable for a civil penalty to be collected in a civil action in the circuit court for any county in the State not exceeding:
(1) $ 1,000 for a first offense;
(2) $ 2,500 for a second offense; or
(3) $ 5,000 for a third or subsequent offense.
(c) Fine; considerations. --
(1) In addition to any other remedies available at law or in equity, after an opportunity for a hearing, the Department may impose a fine for each violation of § 6-905.4 or § 6-905.5 of this subtitle, or of any regulation adopted under § 6-905.4 or § 6-905.5 of this subtitle, not exceeding:
(i) $ 1,000 for a first offense;
(ii) $ 2,500 for a second offense; or
(iii) $ 5,000 for a third or subsequent offense.
(2) The Department shall consider the following in assessing the fine in paragraph (1) of this subsection:
(i) The willfulness of the violation;
(ii) The extent to which the violation was known, but uncorrected, by the violator;
(iii) The extent to which the violation resulted in actual harm to human health or the environment;
(iv) The nature and degree of injury to, or interference with, general welfare and health; and
(v) The extent to which the current violation is part of a pattern of the same or similar type of violation by the violator.
(d) Each violation is a separate offense. -- Each day a violation continues is a separate offense under this section.
(e) Fines and penalties shall be deposited in Fund. -- Fines and penalties collected under this section shall be deposited in the State Recycling Trust Fund.