Section § 17700

Explanation

This law states that if someone intentionally breaks any rule or provision under this division, they may face a fine of up to $10,000, imprisonment in a county jail for up to a year, or both. However, imprisonment for violating a rule or order is only possible if the person knew about it. Additionally, this conviction doesn't stop the commissioner from using their powers under another specific section.

Any person who willfully violates any provision of this division, or who willfully violates any rule or order under this division, shall, upon conviction, be fined not more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000), imprisoned in a county jail for not more than one year, imprisoned pursuant to subdivision (h) of Section 1170 of the Penal Code, or be punished by both that fine and imprisonment, but no person may be imprisoned for the violation of any rule or order unless he or she had knowledge of the rule or order. Conviction under this section shall not preclude the commissioner from exercising the authority provided in Section 17423.

Section § 17701

Explanation

If someone breaks a rule or order under this division, they can be fined up to $2,500 for each violation. The commissioner can take legal action to enforce these fines.

There are other ways to enforce this law besides these fines, and different methods can be used together to ensure compliance.

(a)CA Financial Code § 17701(a) Any person who violates any provision of this division, or who violates any rule or order under this division, shall be liable for a civil penalty not to exceed two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500) for each violation, which shall be assessed and recovered in a civil action brought in the name of the people of the State of California by the commissioner in any court of competent jurisdiction.
(b)CA Financial Code § 17701(b) As applied to the penalties for acts in violation of this division, the remedies provided by this section and by other sections of this division are not exclusive, and may be sought and employed in any combination to enforce the provisions of this division.

Section § 17702

Explanation

This law makes it illegal to intentionally lie about or leave out important information in any application, notice, or report when submitting documents to the commissioner. This includes any required details that are part of the submission process.

It is unlawful for any person to willfully make any untrue statement of a material fact in any application, notice, or report filed with the commissioner under this division or the regulations issued thereunder, or to willfully omit any material fact which is required to be stated in any application, notice, or report.

Section § 17703

Explanation

This law makes it illegal for anyone to knowingly alter, destroy, hide, or falsify any record or object in order to interfere with the enforcement of certain rules. It is also illegal to knowingly lie to the commissioner during licensing or investigations to obstruct rule enforcement. These actions must be done with the intent to mislead or hinder enforcement efforts.

(a)CA Financial Code § 17703(a) It is unlawful for any person to knowingly alter, destroy, mutilate, conceal, cover up, falsify, or make a false entry in any record, document, or tangible object with the intent to impede, obstruct, or influence the administration or enforcement of any provision of this division.
(b)CA Financial Code § 17703(b) It is unlawful for any person to knowingly make an untrue statement to the commissioner during the course of licensing, investigation, or examination, with the intent to impede, obstruct, or influence the administration or enforcement of any provision of this division.