11. a. The commissioner may suspend, revoke or refuse to renew any license issued under the provisions of subsection c. of section 4 of this act, or take any other action, if the commissioner finds that: (1) the licensee has violated any provision of this act or any regulation made pursuant to this act; or (2) any fact or condition exists which, if it had existed at the time of the original application for the license, clearly would have warranted a denial of the license. No abatement of the license fee shall be made if the license is surrendered, revoked, or suspended prior to the expiration of the period for which it was issued.

b. (1) Whenever it appears to the commissioner that any person has violated, is violating or is about to violate any of the provisions of this act, or any regulation adopted pursuant to this act, or any licensee or any owner, director, officer, member, partner, shareholder, trustee, employee or agent of a licensee has committed any fraud, engaged in dishonest activities or made any misrepresentation, the commissioner may bring a civil suit in a court of competent jurisdiction to enjoin the violation or potential violation, seek civil penalties pursuant to paragraph (2) of this subsection, or both.

(2) Any person who violates any provision of this act shall be liable, in a civil action brought by the commissioner in a court of competent jurisdiction, for a penalty of not more than $10,000 for the first violation, and $20,000 for the second and each subsequent offense. The penalty shall be paid to the commissioner to be used in accordance with this act and shall be collected pursuant to the “Penalty Enforcement Law of 1999,” P.L.1999, c.274 (C. 2A:58-10 et seq.). The court shall also award court costs and reasonable attorneys’ fees to the commissioner.

L.2019, c.200, s.11.