§22-15A-8. Enforcement of chapter; reporting violations.

(a) The department, in cooperation with other agencies, shall enforce this chapter and to implement enforcement shall adopt, in consultation with the State Fire Marshal, rules specifying procedures to be followed by enforcement personnel in investigating complaints and notifying alleged violators and rules specifying procedures by which appeals may be taken by aggrieved parties.

(b) Public agencies responsible for the management and maintenance of government buildings shall report observed violations to the department. The State Fire Marshal shall report to the department observed violations of Section 22-15A-5 or Section 22-15A-6 found during its periodic inspections conducted pursuant to its regulatory authority. The department or division, upon notification of observed violations of Section 22-15A-5 or Section 22-15A-6, shall issue to the proprietor or other person in charge of the public place a notice to comply with Section 22-15A-5 or Section 22-15A-6, or both. If such person fails to comply within 30 days after receipt of such notice, the department or the division shall assess a civil penalty against him or her not to exceed fifty dollars ($50) for the first violation, not to exceed one hundred dollars ($100) for the second violation, and not to exceed two hundred dollars ($200) for each subsequent violation. The imposition of a civil penalty shall be in accordance with the Alabama Administrative Procedure Act. If a person refuses to comply with this chapter, after having been assessed a penalty pursuant to this section, the department or the division may file a complaint in the circuit court of the county in which such public place is located to require compliance.

(c) All fine moneys collected pursuant to this section shall be deposited into the State General Fund.

(Act 2003-314, p. 770, §8.)