Violations; penalties; unfair trade practice

A. The consumer protection section may impose a civil penalty of not more than twenty-five hundred dollars for each offense on any person who violates R.S. 51:44 or any other provision of this Part. Each day for which the violation occurs shall be deemed a separate offense.

B. Any person who violates R.S. 51:44 or any other provision of this Part shall be fined not more than two thousand five hundred dollars, or imprisoned for not more than ninety days, or both.

C. Violation of any provision of this Part shall constitute an unfair or deceptive act or practice for purposes of the Unfair Trade and Consumer Protection Law, R.S. 51:1405 et seq.

D. No criminal or civil penalty prescribed in this Part shall apply to any act of a publisher, owner, agent, or employee of a newspaper, periodical, or radio or television station in publishing or otherwise disseminating any advertisement unless such person has actual knowledge of the false, misleading, or deceptive character of the advertisement.

Acts 1995, No. 669, §1.