(1) Any person who fails to comply with this chapter may be subject to a civil penalty in an amount of not more than $1,000 per violation per day.

(2) Subject to the availability of amounts appropriated for this specific purpose, the secretary of the department of health may adopt by rule a penalty matrix that establishes procedures for civil penalties assessed under this chapter.

(3) Each violation is a separate and distinct offense. The department of health shall impose the civil penalty in accordance with chapter 34.05 RCW. Moneys collected under this section must be deposited into the state general fund.

(4) If the civil penalty is not paid to the department of health within 15 days after receipt of notice, the office of the attorney general may bring an action to recover the penalty in the name of the state of Washington in the superior court of Thurston county or in the county where the private detention facility is located. In all such actions, the procedure and rules of evidence are the same as in ordinary civil actions. All penalties recovered by the attorney general under this chapter must be paid into the Washington state attorney general humane detention account created in RCW 70.395.090.

(5) For the purposes of this section, "person" means an owner, operator, contractor, subcontractor, or employee of a private detention facility.

(6) The state and its agencies are not liable for a violation of this chapter.

Effective date—Construction—2023 c 419: See notes following RCW 42.56.475.