1. (a) A person who intentionally:

   1. (1) prevents, interferes with, or attempts to impede the work of an employee of the state department in the investigation and enforcement of any provision of this article;
   2. (2) prevents or attempts to prevent an employee of the state department from examining any relevant records in the conduct of official duties under this article;
   3. (3) prevents or interferes with an employee of the state department in preserving evidence of the breach of any provision of this article;

   4. (4) retaliates or discriminates against a resident or an employee for:

      1. (A) contacting or providing information to any state official; or
      2. (B) initiating, participating in, or testifying in an action under this article; or

   5. (5) fails to correct or interferes with the correction process within the correction period specified on the citation or approved plan of correction, unless an extension is granted by the director and the corrections are made before expiration of the extension;

      commits a Class C misdemeanor.

2. (b) In addition to the criminal provisions for violations described in subsection (a), the commissioner may commence an action under IC 4-21.5-3-6 or IC 4-21.5-4 for issuance of an order of compliance and a civil penalty not to exceed twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000).

   [Pre-1993 Recodification Citation: 16-10-4-22.]

As added by P.L.2-1993, SEC.11.