(a)
Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, any person who violates Section 1503.5 or 1508, or both, may be assessed by the department an immediate civil penalty in the amount of two hundred dollars ($200) per day of the violation.
(b)
The civil penalty authorized in subdivision (a) shall be imposed if an unlicensed facility is operated and the operator refuses to seek licensure or the operator seeks licensure and the licensure application is denied and the operator continues to operate the unlicensed facility, unless other remedies available to the department, including criminal prosecution, are deemed more effective by the department.
(c)
An operator may appeal the assessment to the director. The department shall adopt regulations setting forth the appeal procedure.