(a) Any person or an officer or employe of any association, corporation, institution or partnership, violating any of the provisions of this act or any rule or regulation of the board, commits a misdemeanor and, upon conviction therefor, shall be sentenced to pay a fine of not more than five hundred dollars ($500), or undergo imprisonment for no more than six (6) months for the first violation. On the second and each subsequent conviction, he or she shall be sentenced to pay a fine of not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000), or undergo imprisonment for not less than six (6) months or more than one (1) year in jail, or both.(b) In addition to any other civil remedy or criminal penalty provided for in this act, the board, by a vote of the majority of the maximum number of the authorized membership of the board as provided by law, or by a vote of the majority of the duly qualified and confirmed membership or a minimum of five (5) members, whichever is greater, may levy a civil penalty of up to one thousand dollars ($1,000) on any current licensee who violates any provision of this act or on any person who practices practical nursing without being properly licensed to do so under this act or on the responsible officers or employes of any corporation, copartnership, institution or association violating any of the provisions of this act. The board shall levy this penalty only after affording the accused party the opportunity for a hearing, as provided in Title 2 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes (relating to administrative law and procedure).1956, March 2, P.L. (1955) 1211, §15. Amended 1985 , Dec. 20, P.L. 423, No. 110, §14, effective 1/1/1986.