Iowa Code § 543D.21 - Violations — injunctions — civil penalties

1. If, as the result of a complaint or otherwise, the board believes that a person has engaged, or is about to engage, in an act or practice that constitutes or will constitute a violation of this chapter, the board may make application to the district court for an order enjoining such act or practice. Upon a showing by the board that such person has engaged, or is about to engage, in any such act or practice, an injunction, restraining order, or other order as may be appropriate shall be granted by the district court. 2. The board may investigate complaints or initiate complaints against persons who are not certified or registered under this chapter solely to determine whether grounds exist to make application to the district court pursuant to subsection 1 or to issue an order pursuant to subsection 3, and in connection with such complaints or investigations may issue subpoenas to compel witnesses to testify or persons to produce evidence consistent with the provisions of section 272C.6, subsection 3, as needed to determine whether probable cause exists to initiate proceedings under this section or to make application to the district court for an order enjoining violations of this chapter. 3. In addition to or as an alternative to making application to the district court for an injunction, the board may issue an order to a person who is not certified or registered under this chapter to require compliance with this chapter and may impose a civil penalty against such person for any violation of subsection 4 in an amount up to one thousand dollars for each violation. All civil penalties collected pursuant to this subsection shall be deposited in the housing trust fund created in section 16.181. An order issued pursuant to this section may prohibit a person from applying for certification or registration under this chapter. 4. The board may impose civil penalties against a person who is not certified or registered under this chapter for any of the following acts: a. A violation of section 543D.3, subsections 2, 3, or 4. b. A violation of section 543D.15. c. A violation of section 543D.18A, subsection 1. d. A violation of section 543D.20, subsection 1 or 5. e. Fraud, deceit, or deception, through act or omission, in connection with an application for certification or registration under this chapter. 5. The board, before issuing an order under this section, shall provide the person written notice and the opportunity to request a hearing. The hearing must be requested within thirty days after receipt of the notice and shall be conducted in the same manner as provided for disciplinary proceedings involving a licensee under this chapter. 6. A person aggrieved by the imposition of a civil penalty under this section may seek judicial review pursuant to section 17A.19. 7. If a person fails to pay a civil penalty within thirty days after entry of an order imposing the civil penalty, or if the order is stayed pending an appeal, within ten days after the court enters a final judgment in favor of the board, the board shall notify the attorney general. The attorney general may commence an action to recover the amount of the penalty, including reasonable attorney fees and costs. 8. An action to enforce an order under this section may be joined with an action for an injunction. 2007 Acts, ch 72, §7; 2021 Acts, ch 159, §8, 9 Referred to in §543D.23