3. a. The Commissioner of Labor shall enforce and administer the provisions of sections 1 through 4 of this act, and the commissioner or his authorized representatives are empowered to investigate violations of those provisions.

b. When the commissioner finds that an employer has violated this act by failing to provide the notice required pursuant to section 2 of this act, the commissioner is authorized to assess and collect administrative penalties specified in a schedule of penalties to be promulgated by the commissioner by regulation. The penalty amount shall be based on the number of employees covered under the health benefits plan and shall not exceed $200 an employee.

c. No administrative penalty shall be levied pursuant to this section unless the commissioner provides the alleged violator with notification of the violation and of the amount of the penalty by certified mail and an opportunity to request a hearing before the commissioner or his designee within 15 days following the receipt of the notice. If a hearing is requested, the commissioner shall issue a final order upon that hearing and a finding that a violation has occurred. If no hearing is requested, the notice shall become a final order upon expiration of the 15-day period. Payment of the penalty is due when a final order is issued or when the notice becomes a final order.

d. Any penalty imposed pursuant to this section may be recovered with costs in a summary proceeding commenced by the commissioner pursuant to the “Penalty Enforcement Law of 1999,” P.L.1999, c.274 (C. 2A:58-10 et seq.).

L.2003,c.27,s.3.