California · Health and Safety Code - HSC

HSC §116730: (a) Any person who knowingly does any of the following acts may, upon conviction, be punished by a fine of not more than twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) for each day of violation, by imprisonme

Misdemeanor

What this law says, in plain English

A person who knowingly makes false statements, alters records, withholds safety information, violates department orders, or operates a water system without a permit may be fined up to $25,000 per day and/or imprisoned in county jail up to one year. Repeat violations carry greater penalties.

Read the full statutory text
(a) Any person who knowingly does any of the following acts may, upon conviction, be punished by a fine of not more than twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) for each day of violation, by imprisonment in a county jail not to exceed one year, or by both that fine and imprisonment: (1) Makes any false statement or representation in any application, record, report, or other document submitted, maintained, or used for the purposes of compliance with this chapter. (2) Has in his or her possession any record required to be maintained pursuant to this chapter that has been altered or concealed. (3) Destroys, alters, or conceals any record required to be maintained pursuant to this chapter. (4) Withholds information regarding an imminent and substantial danger to the public health or safety when the information has been requested by the department in writing and is required to carry out the department’s responsibilities pursuant to this chapter in response to an imminent and substantial danger. (5) Violates an order issued by the department pursuant to this chapter that has a substantial probability of presenting an imminent danger to the health of persons. (6) Operates a public water system without a permit issued by the department pursuant to this chapter. (b) A second or subsequent violation of subdivision (a) is punishable by imprisonment pursuant to subdivision (h) of Section 1170 of the Penal Code for 16, 20, or 24 months or imprisonment in a county jail for not more than one year, by a fine of not less than two thousand dollars ($2,000) or more than fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) per day of violation, or by both that imprisonment and fine.

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This page is legal information, not legal advice. Code text is sourced from official publications and may lag amendments — always confirm at the official source linked above. Plain-English summaries and relationship data are AI-derived and reviewed on an ongoing basis; verify with a licensed attorney before acting.