Section 20-784. Hearing authority

(1) Notwithstanding any other provision
  of law, the department shall be authorized upon due notice and  hearing,
  to  impose  civil  penalties  for the violation of any provision of this
  subchapter. The department shall have the power to render decisions  and
  orders and to impose civil penalties not to exceed the amounts specified
  in  section  20-783  of  this  subchapter  for  each such violation. All
  proceedings authorized pursuant to this subdivision shall  be  conducted
  in  accordance  with rules promulgated by the commissioner. The remedies
  and penalties provided for in this subdivision shall be in  addition  to
  any  other  remedies  or  penalties provided for the enforcement of such
  provisions under any other law including, but not limited to,  civil  or
  criminal actions or proceedings.
    (2) All such proceedings shall be commenced by the service of a notice
  of   violation   returnable   to  the  administrative  tribunal  of  the
  department. The commissioner shall prescribe the  form  and  wording  of
  notices  of  violation.  The  notice  of  violation or copy thereof when
  filled in and served shall constitute notice of the  violation  charged,
  and, if sworn to or affirmed, shall be prima facie evidence of the facts
  contained therein.