Section 1697.1.

(a) No person shall make, or cause to be made, false, fraudulent, or misleading representations that employment in the growing or producing of farm products, or an employee benefit related to that employment, will be jeopardized unless an individual or his or her family members pay a fee or other thing of value for transportation by that person to or from the business or worksite of an employer.

(b) Any person who violates this section, or who causes or induces another to violate this section, is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than five thousand dollars ($5,000) and not less than five hundred dollars ($500), or imprisonment in the county jail for not more than 30 days, or both.

(c) Any individual claiming to be aggrieved by a violation of this section may bring a civil action for injunctive relief, damages, or both. If the court finds that the defendant has violated this section, it shall award actual damages, plus an amount equal to treble the amount of actual damages, or five hundred dollars ($500) per violation, whichever is greater. The court shall also grant a prevailing plaintiff reasonable attorneys' fees and costs.

(d) Any other party who, upon information and belief, claims a violation of this section has been committed may bring a civil action for injunctive relief on behalf of the general public and, upon prevailing, shall recover reasonable attorneys' fees and costs.

(Added by Stats. 1989, Ch. 476, Sec. 1.)