(a) Any person who violates this chapter, or who willfully or repeatedly violates any rule or regulation adopted under this chapter, is guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof shall be punished by a fine not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000), or by imprisonment in the county jail for a period not to exceed 180 days, or by both fine and imprisonment.
(b) Operation of a residential care facility without a license shall be subject to a summons to appear in court.
(c) Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, the district attorney of every county, and the city attorneys in those cities which have city attorneys who have jurisdiction to prosecute misdemeanors pursuant to Section 72193 of the Government Code, shall, upon their own initiative or upon application by the department or its authorized representative, institute and conduct the prosecution of any action for violation within his or her county of this chapter.