Utah § 58-63-503 - Penalties.

Full text of Utah Utah Code § 58-63-503 — Penalties., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 58-63-503. Penalties.

Effective 5/12/2020
58-63-503.  Penalties.
(1) Unless Subsection (2) applies, an individual who commits an act of unlawful conduct under Section 58-63-501 or who fails to comply with a citation issued under this section after it becomes final is guilty of a class A misdemeanor.
(2) The division may immediately suspend a license issued under this chapter of a person who is given a citation for violating Subsection 58-63-501(1), (2), (4), or (5).
(3)
(a) If upon inspection or investigation, the division determines that a person has violated Subsection 58-63-501(1), (2), (4), or (5) or any rule made or order issued under those subsections, and that disciplinary action is warranted, the director or the director's designee within the division shall promptly issue a citation to the person and:
(i) attempt to negotiate a stipulated settlement; or
(ii) notify the person to appear for an adjudicative proceeding conducted under Title 63G, Chapter 4, Administrative Procedures Act.
(b)
(i) The division may fine a person who violates Subsection 58-63-501(1), (2), (4), or (5), as evidenced by an uncontested citation, a stipulated settlement, or a finding of a violation in an adjudicative proceeding held under Subsection (3)(a)(ii), or order the person to cease and desist from the violation, or do both.
(ii) Except for a cease and desist order, the division may not impose the licensure sanctions listed in Section 58-63-401 through the issuance of a citation under this section.
(c) The written citation shall:
(i) describe the nature of the violation, including a reference to the allegedly violated statute, rule, or order;
(ii) state the recipient must notify the division in writing within 20 calendar days of issuance of the citation if the recipient wants to contest the citation at the adjudicative proceeding referred to in Subsection (3)(a)(ii); and
(iii) explain the consequences of failure to timely contest the citation or to make payment of a fine assessed under the citation with the time specified in the citation.
(d)
(i) The division may serve a citation issued under this section, or a copy of the citation, upon an individual who is subject to service of a summons under the Utah Rules of Civil Procedure.
(ii)
(A) The division may serve the individual personally or serve the individual's agent.
(B) The division may serve the summons by a division investigator, by a person designated by the director, or by mail.
(e)
(i) If within 20 days from the service of a citation the person to whom the citation was issued fails to request a hearing to contest the citation, the citation becomes the final order of the division and is not subject to further agency review.
(ii) The division may grant an extension of the 20-day period for cause.
(f) The division may refuse to issue or renew, suspend, revoke, or place on probation the license of a licensee who fails to comply with a citation after it becomes final.
(g) The division may not issue a citation for an alleged violation under this section after the expiration of one year following the date on which the violation that is the subject of the citation is reported to the division.
(h) The director or the director's designee may assess fines under this section as follows:
(i) for a first offense under Subsection (3)(a), a fine of up to $1,000;
(ii) for a second offense under Subsection (3)(a), a fine of up to $2,000; and
(iii) for a subsequent offense under Subsection (3)(a), a fine of up to $2,000 for each day of continued violation.
(i)
(i) For purposes of issuing a final order under this section and assessing a fine under Subsection (3)(h), an offense is a second or subsequent offense if:
(A) the division previously issued a final order determining that a person committed a first or second offense in violation of Subsection 58-63-501(1) or (4); or
(B)
(I) the division initiated an action for a first or second offense;
(II) no final order has been issued by the division in an action initiated under Subsection (3)(i)(i)(B)(I);
(III) the division determines during an investigation that occurred after the initiation of the action under Subsection (3)(i)(i)(B)(I) that the person committed a second or subsequent violation of Subsection 58-63-501(1) or (4); and
(IV) after determining that the person committed a second or subsequent offense under Subsection (3)(i)(i)(B)(III), the division issues a final order on the action initiated under Subsection (3)(i)(i)(B)(I).
(ii) In issuing a final order for a second or subsequent offense under Subsection (3)(i)(i), the division shall comply with the requirements of this section.
(4)
(a) The division shall deposit a fine imposed by the director under Subsection (3)(h) in the General Fund as a dedicated credit for use by the division for the purposes listed in Section 58-63-103.
(b) The director may collect a fine that is not paid by:
(i) referring the matter to a collection agency; or
(ii) bringing an action in the district court of the county where the person against whom the penalty is imposed resides or in the county where the office of the director is located.
(c) A county attorney or the attorney general of the state shall provide legal assistance and advice to the director in an action to collect a penalty.
(d) A court shall award reasonable attorney fees and costs to the prevailing party in an action brought by the division to collect a penalty.


Amended by Chapter 339, 2020 General Session

Frequently Asked Questions About Utah § 58-63-503

What does Utah Code § 58-63-503 cover?

Section 58-63-503 ("Penalties.") is part of the Utah Code, the codified statutory law of Utah. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.

How do I cite Utah § 58-63-503?

A common citation format is "Utah Code § 58-63-503" (Utah). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.

Is this the official text of Utah law?

No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Utah official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Utah attorney.

How does Utah § 58-63-503 apply to my situation?

Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Utah can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.

Sources & Verification

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