522C.6 Penalties.

1. The commissioner may place on probation, suspend, revoke, or refuse to issue or renew a public adjuster’s license or may levy a civil penalty as provided in section 505.7A if a licensed public adjuster is found after hearing to be in violation of the requirements of this chapter or rules adopted or orders issued pursuant to this chapter.

2. A person acting as a public adjuster without proper licensure or a public adjuster who willfully violates any provision of this chapter or any rule adopted or order issued under this chapter is guilty of a serious misdemeanor.

3. a. A licensed public adjuster who, after hearing, is found to have violated this chapter or any rule adopted or order issued pursuant to this chapter, may be ordered to cease and desist from engaging in the conduct resulting in the violation and may be assessed a civil penalty as provided in section 505.7A.

b. A person who, after hearing, is found to have violated this chapter by acting as a public adjuster without proper licensure may be ordered to cease and desist from engaging in the conduct resulting in the violation and may be assessed a civil penalty according to the provisions of chapter 507A.

c. If a person has engaged, is engaging, or is about to engage in any act or practice constituting a violation of this chapter or any rule adopted or order issued pursuant to this chapter, the commissioner may issue a summary order that includes a brief statement of findings of fact, conclusions of law, and policy reasons for the order, and that directs the person to cease and desist from engaging in the act or practice constituting the violation and that may assess a civil penalty or take other affirmative action as in the judgment of the commissioner is necessary to assure that the person complies with the requirements of this chapter as provided in chapter 507A.

d. If a person does not comply with an order issued pursuant to this subsection, the commissioner may petition a court of competent jurisdiction to enforce the order. The court shall not require the commissioner to post a bond in an action or proceeding under this subsection. If the court finds, after notice and opportunity for hearing, that the person is not in compliance with an order, the court may adjudge the person to be in civil contempt of the order. The court may impose a civil penalty against the person for contempt in an amount not less than three thousand dollars but not greater than ten thousand dollars for each violation and may grant any other relief that the court determines is just and proper in the circumstances.

2007 Acts, ch 137, §29; 2013 Acts, ch 124, §29