14. No hospital shall deny any admission or appropriate service to a patient on the basis of that patient’s ability to pay or source of payment.

A hospital which violates this section shall be liable to a civil penalty of $10,000 for each violation. The penalty shall be sued for and recovered pursuant to “the penalty enforcement law,” N.J.S. 2A:58-1 et seq. and shall be deposited in the fund.

L.1992,c.160,s.14.