1. (a) The Commissioner may assess a civil penalty against a person who:

   1. (1) violates § 3-216(a) or (b) of this subtitle; or
   2. (2) willfully or repeatedly employs a minor in violation of § 3-213 of this subtitle.

2. (b)

   1. (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, a civil penalty assessed under subsection (a)(1) of this section may not exceed:

      1. (i) before July 15, 2027, $16,035 for each violation; or
      2. (ii) beginning July 15, 2027, the amount set by the Commissioner under subsection (c) of this section for each violation.

   2. (2) A civil penalty assessed under subsection (a)(2) of this section may not exceed:

      1. (i) before July 15, 2027, $72,876 for each violation; or
      2. (ii) beginning July 15, 2027, the amount set by the Commissioner under subsection (c) of this section for each violation.

3. (c)

   1. (1) Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, beginning January 1, 2027, and each calendar year thereafter, the Commissioner shall increase the maximum penalties in effect under subsection (a) of this section by increasing each civil penalty amount by the percentage increase, if any, in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers or a successor index published by the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics as necessary to comply with federal law.
   2. (2) The adjustment under paragraph (1) of this subsection shall be effective July 15 each year.
4. (d) A civil penalty under this section shall be paid into the General Fund of the State.

Added by Acts 2026, c. 167, § 1, eff. June 1, 2026.