Code Section

Health and Safety Code - HSC

DIVISION 2. LICENSING PROVISIONS [1200 - 1796.70]

  ( Division 2 enacted by Stats. 1939, Ch. 60. )
  

CHAPTER 2. Health Facilities [1250 - 1339.59]

  ( Chapter 2 repealed and added by Stats. 1973, Ch. 1202. )
  

ARTICLE 4. Offenses [1290 - 1293.2]
  ( Article 4 added by Stats. 1973, Ch. 1202. )

  
1290.  

(a)  Except as provided in subdivision (b) or (c), any person who violates this chapter or Section 127050 or 128600, or who willfully or repeatedly violates any rule or regulation adopted under this chapter or Section 127050 or 128600 is guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof shall be punished by a fine not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000) or by imprisonment in the county jail for a period not to exceed 180 days, or by both the fine and imprisonment.

(b)  Any person who violates Section 1286 is guilty of an infraction and shall be punished by a fine of not more than one hundred dollars ($100).

(c)  Any person who willfully or repeatedly violates this chapter or Chapter 2.4 (commencing with Section 1417), excluding Sections 1425 and 1432, or any rule or regulation adopted under this chapter, relating to the operation or maintenance of a long-term health care facility as defined in Section 1418, is guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof shall be punished by a fine not to exceed two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500) or by imprisonment in the county jail for a period not to exceed 180 days, or by both.

In determining the punishment to be imposed upon a conviction under this subdivision, the court shall consider all relevant facts, including, but not limited to, the following:

(1)  Whether the violation exposed the patient to the risk of death or serious physical harm.

(2)  Whether the violation had a direct or immediate relationship to the health, safety, or security of the patient.

(3)  Evidence, if any, of willfulness.

(4)  The number of repeated violations.

(5)  The presence or absence of good faith efforts by the defendant to prevent the violation.

(d)  For the purposes of this section, “willfully” or “willful” means the person doing an act or omitting to do an act intends the act or omission, and knows the relevant circumstances connected therewith.

(Amended by Stats. 1995, Ch. 415, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 1996.)