(a) Unless specifically provided otherwise in this chapter, an offense under this chapter is punishable by a civil fine not to exceed $500. Each violation of a particular section or subsection of this chapter constitutes a separate offense. If the director finds after investigation of a timely complaint that a violation of this chapter has occurred, an employer shall receive written notice of the violation and the civil penalty assessed.
(b) The director shall seek voluntary compliance from the employer to remedy any violation of this chapter before any civil penalty is collected. If voluntary compliance is not achieved within 10 business days following the employer's receipt of the written violation notice, the employer shall be liable to the city for the amount of the civil penalty assessed.
(c) No penalties shall be assessed under this chapter until April 1, 2020, except that civil penalties for a violation of Section 20-8, "Retaliation Prohibited," may be assessed at any time after either August 1, 2019, for an employer with more than five employees, or August 1, 2021, for an employer with not more than five employees at any time in the preceding 12 months. For a violation of this chapter that occurs before April 1, 2020, the director may issue a notice to the employer that a civil penalty may be assessed for a violation that occurs after April 1, 2020.
(d) Employers may appeal any civil penalty assessed under this chapter. The director shall establish and enforce additional rules and regulations and adopt necessary procedures regarding the filing and adjudication of appeals submitted under this section.
(e) This section does not create a criminal offense. (Ord. 31181)