Fla. Admin. Code R. 5E-14.149

Current through Reg. 50, No. 222; November 13, 2024

Section 5E-14.149 - Enforcement and Penalties

(1) List of Penalties. The Department will apply one or more of the following penalties for violation of Chapter 482, F.S., or Chapter 5E-14, F.A.C., or as provided in Section 482.161, F.S.

(a) Denial of an application for licensure or license renewal and/or permits or refusal of a pest control registration, license, and/ or permit.

(b) Revocation or Suspension of any license including permits.

(c) Warning Letter.

(d) Probation for a specified period of time not to exceed two years subject to conditions.

(e) Administrative fine not to exceed $5,000 for each violation.

(f) Criminal prosecution by referral to the State Attorney under Sections 775.082 and 775.083, F.S.

(g) Injunctive relief.

(h) Issuance of a Cease and Desist Order, Immediate Stop Use or Stop Work Orders.

(i) Institution of an action under Chapter 501, Part II, Sections 501.204, .207, .2075, .2077, .209, .211, .2105, .212, and .213, F.S., for violations involving deceptive and unfair trade practices where the legal remedies provided under Chapter 501, Part II, F.S., are needed to further protect consumers or recover damages associated with identified violations.

(2) Violation and Repeat Violation. Each and every breach of Chapter 482, F.S., and related rules, or part thereof, is a violation. A repeat violation is a violation for which the person has been previously disciplined within the last three (3) years.

(3) Stop Use or Stop Work Orders.

(a) Use of Stop Use, Stop Work Orders shall be issued in accordance with subsection 5E-14.108(4), F.A.C., for:

Fumigation activities performed in violation of fumigant label requirements or department rules, or in a manner that presents an immediate serious danger to the health, safety, or welfare of the public, including but not limited to, failure to use required personal protective equipment, failure to use required warning agent, failure to post required warning signs, failure to secure a structure's usual entrances as required, or using a fumigant in a manner that will likely result in hazardous exposure to humans, animals, or the environment.

(b) The Department shall issue a release of a Stop Use or Stop Work Order when the deficiencies cited have been corrected and the violator is in compliance with the provisions of Chapter 482, F.S., and associated rules.

(4) Default. A violator's failure to respond to an administrative complaint may result in a waiver of rights to a hearing and the Department may enter a Final Order imposing up to the maximum penalties as authorized by Florida law, including suspension of the violator's license and/or permit.

(5) Denial. The Department will deny application for licensure if:

(a) A person fails to comply with the licensing and/or permit requirements of Chapter 482, F.S., or Chapter 5E-14, F.A.C., or

(b) All outstanding fines owed to the Department are not paid in full unless the person seeking licensure has entered into a written settlement agreement with the Department to pay the fine, which has been filed with the agency clerk, and the person has made the payments timely as provided in the settlement agreement, or

(c) A person has been convicted of a crime under state or federal law that is directly related to standards determined by the Department, for which denial of licensure is necessary and reasonably related to the protection of the public health, safety, and welfare, including the following:

1. A felony or first degree misdemeanor conviction under any state or federal law involving dishonesty, violence, destruction of property, sexual misconduct or which directly relates to the practice of pest control within the past three years.

2. A felony or first degree misdemeanor conviction under any state or federal law, which is more than three (3) years old, involving dishonesty, violence, destruction of property, sexual misconduct, or which directly relates to the practice of pest control, where the applicant has not completed any term of probation or parole and the conditions thereof.

3. A felony or first-degree misdemeanor conviction of any offense that serves as a predicate to registration as a sexual offender in accordance with Section 943.0435 or 491.0112, 784.049(3)(b), 794.08, 796.08, 800.101, 826.04, 847.012, 872.06(2), 944.35(3)(b)2., 951.221(1), F.S. or similar laws of any other state.

4. A felony or first-degree misdemeanor conviction under Section 775.33(4), 782.04(1), (2), (3), or 782.09, F.S., which resulted in the actual killing of a human being, or similar laws of any other state.

5. A felony or first degree misdemeanor conviction at any time under any state or federal law and the person has been classified as a sexual predator pursuant to Section 775.21, F.S. or similar laws of any other state

(6) Notice of Noncompliance. Any department investigation or inspection which reveals minor violations of this rule chapter in which the department determines that the violator was unaware of the rule or unclear as to how to comply with it will result in the issuance of a notice of noncompliance as the department's first response to the minor violation. The following violations shall result in the issuance of a notice of noncompliance:

(a) Failure to comply with Rule 5E-14.103, F.A.C.

(b) Failure to comply with Rule 5E-14.105, F.A.C.

(c) Failure to comply with Rule 5E-14.142, F.A.C.

(d) Failure to comply with Rule 5E-14.1421, F.A.C., as it relates to the requirement that the licensee maintain written verification of all ID cardholder's initial and annual training.

(e) Failure to comply with Rule 5E-14.147, F.A.C.

(f) Failure to comply with Section 482.091(2)(c), F.S.

(g) Failure to comply with Section 482.226(5), F.S.

(h) Failure to comply with Section 482.227, F.S.

(7) Warning Letters. After failure to comply with a notice of noncompliance, a warning letter shall be issued for any violations classified in this rule as minor violations. A warning letter shall be issued for any first-time intermediate violation.

(8) Intermediate violations are all violations other than those classified as minor or major violations. Major violations are violations where:

(a) Death or serious bodily harm requiring medical attention to humans or veterinary attention to animals occurs as a result of misuse of a pesticide or mismanagement of another pest control method, and the injury or death is attributable to the misuse or mismanagement.

(b) Misuse of a highly toxic pesticide (Category I, Danger signal word) as established in 40 CFR 156.64(a), is documented and such a misuse could result in death or serious bodily harm to humans or animals, but where the death or injury did not occur.

(c) The licensee, certificate holder, permit holder or applicator causes serious harm to an ecological system, or contamination of water or soil requiring corrective action or monitoring to protect human or animal health or the environment as a result of misuse of a pesticide or mismanagement of another pest control method.

(d) The licensee, certificate holder, permit holder or applicator deliberately makes false or fraudulent claims with respect to pest control, deliberately misrepresents the effects of materials or methods used in pest control, or deliberately fails to use materials or methods suitable for the pest control undertaken.

(e) The licensee, certificate holder, permit holder or applicator performs pest control in a manner that causes harm due to carelessness or failure to exercise proper care in the use of a pesticide or other pest control technique; fails to comply with subsection 5E-14.106(6), (7), or (8), F.A.C.; or uses a fumigant in a manner that is inconsistent with its label directions or the requirements of Rule 5E-14.108, 5E-14.110, 5E-14.111, 5E-14.112, or 5E-14.113, F.A.C.

(f) The licensee, certificate holder, permit holder or applicator fails to give the Department or department representative true information in response to a written request within 14 business days regarding methods and materials used, work performed, or other information essential to the administration of Chapter 482, F.S.

(g) The licensee, certificate holder, permit holder or applicator performs or causes fraudulent or misleading advertising relative to pest control or advertises in an unauthorized category of pest control.

(h) The licensee, certificate holder, permit holder or applicator misuses a pesticide, performs a faulty inspection for wood destroying organisms, or fails to comply with the terms of a wood destroying organism protection contract, and such action results in property damage exceeding $2,500.

(i) The licensee, certificate holder, permit holder or applicator violates any Immediate Final Order, Emergency Suspension Order, Stop Use, Stop Work, Settlement Agreement, Consent Order, Final Order, or any other order of the Department, issued under the authority of Chapter 120 or 482, F.S., or Chapter 5E-14, F.A.C.

(j) The licensee, certificate holder, permit holder or applicator commits fraud or deceptive trade practices.

(k) An individual or business performs pest control without holding a valid license from the Department.

(l) A licensee or certified operator fails to comply with Section 482.091(1) or (2)(a), (d), and (e), F.S.

(m) A licensee or certified operator fails to comply with Section 482.121, F.S.

(9) Fines. For repeat minor or intermediate violations, multiple violations including at least one major violation, and all major violations, including those violators who do not respond to an administrative complaint, the Department will impose an administrative fine not to exceed $5,000 per violation plus any other penalty allowed by law including suspension or revocation. When imposing a fine, the Department will consider the degree and extent of harm, or potential harm, that was or could have been caused by the violation, the cost of rectifying the damage minus the actions taken by the licensee or certified operator or applicator to correct the violation or remedy complaints, whether the violation was committed willfully, the compliance record of the violator, and the costs to the Department of investigating the violation. The Department will use the Fine Guide as set out in subsection (15) to assist in determining the appropriate amount of the fine.

(10) Suspension and Revocation.

(a) Suspension will be imposed when:

1. The violation results in death of humans or domestic animals or pets, or injury requiring hospitalization to humans.

2. The violation results in serious harm to an ecological system, or contamination of water or soil requiring corrective action or monitoring to protect human health or the environment.

3. The compliance record of the violator shows two or more prior violations for similar major violations within the last three (3) years.

4. The licensee, certificate holder, permit holder or applicator has habitual intemperance or addiction to narcotics to the extent that it contributes substantially to the occurrence of violations of Chapter 482, F.S.

5. A licensee or certificate holder has been found by the Department to be in violation of Section 482.121, F.S.

6. When a permit holder pursuant to Section 482.0815(4) or (6), F.S., meets the conditions therein.

(b) Revocation will be imposed when:

1. A violator does not comply with a suspension order, or if a licensee or certificate holder has been suspended twice in three years.

2. A person has obtained licensure of any kind under Chapter 482, F.S., and the Department subsequently determines that the person that is the holder of the licensure falls into any of the categories set forth in paragraph (5)(c), above, that would be grounds for denying licensure under Chapter 482, F.S.

(11) Quarterly List. All disciplinary actions taken by the Department pursuant to Chapter 482, F.S., or the rules adopted pursuant to it, shall be published in the next available quarterly list published as required in Section 482.161(9), F.S., and on the Department's website and shall include the identity of each individual or entity against which disciplinary action was taken, and a brief description of the offense and the disciplinary action, whether it was a warning letter, fine, probation, suspension or revocation. If the violator operated an unlicensed pest control business the name of the unlicensed business will also be listed.

(12) Resolution of Violations, Settlement, and Additional Enforcement Remedies. The Department and the violator may agree to resolve violations prior to administrative action, or to enter into settlement pursuant to Section 120.57(4), F.S. The willingness of a violator to resolve violations prior to initiation of administrative action, or to settle will be considered in determining the appropriate penalty because early resolution of violations furthers compliance and results in savings of time, costs, and expenses for the Department. The Department will enforce a failure to comply with an agreement to resolve violations or a settlement agreement with the penalties and remedies provided in the agreement as authorized by law. These enforcement guidelines shall not be construed to limit the authority of the Department to resolve violations prior to or after initiation of any administrative action or to settle with any party. The Department may utilize all available remedies to ensure voluntary compliance including administrative action, civil actions, referrals for criminal prosecution, and deceptive and unfair trade practices actions pursuant to Chapter 501, F.S.

(13) Follow-Up Compliance Inspections. If the violator agrees to corrective actions and subsequent inspection reveals that corrective actions have not been taken or that good faith efforts to undertake these corrective actions have not been made, then the Department will enforce the penalties and remedies provided in the agreement and as authorized by law.

(14) Notification of Licensees, Certificate Holders, and Identification Card Holders of Complaint. When the Department receives a written complaint from a consumer regarding a licensee, certificate holder, permit holder or applicator, the Department will send a notice to the responsible person and to the licensee, stating the complaint, identifying the complainant and requesting a written response within 10 working days.

(15) Fine Guide. FINE GUIDE = A(B+C+D+E+F)G. This guide shall apply for each violation for which a fine is imposed. The maximum fine is $5,000 per violation. The terms and values used in the fine guide calculation shall be:

A = Degree & Extent of Harm - Human, animal and environmental hazards occur as a result of pesticide misuse or mismanagement of another pest control method:

1 Human, animal or environmental harm not identified

5 Death of animals or injury to humans or animals requiring hospitalization, or serious harm to an ecological system, or contamination of water or soil requiring corrective action or monitoring to protect human health or the environment

7 Human death

B = Toxicity of the pesticide for which a pesticide misuse or violation, of label directions which could result in human or animal hazards:

0 No pesticide involved in complaint

1 Category III or IV - Signal Word "Caution"

2 Category II - Signal Word "Warning"

3 Category I - Signal Word "Danger"

C = Estimated cost of rectifying the damage to consumer minus any mitigation provided by the violator

1 Unknown or under $1,000

2 Over $1,000 and under $5,000

3 Over $5,000 and under $10,000

4 Over $10,000

D = Whether the violation was committed deliberately

1 No evidence violation was committed deliberately

5 Evidence violation was committed deliberately

E = Compliance record of the violator

0 No prior violations

1 One prior violation for a dissimilar violation

2 Two or more prior violations dissimilar to current violation

3 One prior violation for a similar violation

4 Two or more prior violations for similar violations

F = Investigative Costs

0 Routine investigation or Payment of all investigative costs

2 Violation documented as a result of more than one inspection or requiring investigation by multiple inspectors, or by department personnel outside of the division of Agricultural Environmental Services

G = Entity Category

500 Business licensee responsible for violation, or person operating a pest control business without a valid business license

250 Certified Operator or Special Identification Cardholder responsible for violation

100 All others

Compliance record. The compliance record is established by prior disciplined violations, within the three (3) years preceding the date of the current violation, of Chapter 482, F.S., or of Chapter 5E-14, F.A.C., or of federal or other Florida law addressing pest control or pesticide use or disposal. Violations will be considered final on acceptance of the applicable penalty, or the date of final agency action or the conclusion of any appeals thereof.

Fla. Admin. Code Ann. R. 5E-14.149

Rulemaking Authority 482.051, 570.07(23) FS. Law Implemented 112.011, 120.695, 482.121, 482.161, 482.163 FS.

New 7-13-06, Amended 7-11-07, 8-4-08, 5-20-12, Amended by Florida Register Volume 45, Number 029, February 12, 2019 effective 2/27/2019, Amended by Florida Register Volume 48, Number 240, December 13, 2022 effective 12/26/2022.

New 7-13-06, Amended 7-11-07, 8-4-08, 5-20-12, 2-27-19, 12-26-22.