Section 2304 - Authority of department(a) General rule.--The department shall have the authority to: (1) Examine any instrument, document, account, book, record or file of a licensee or any person having a connection to the licensee or make other investigation as may be necessary to administer the provisions of this act. The department may remove any instrument, document, account, book, record or file of a licensee to a location outside of the licensee's office. The costs of the examination shall be borne by the licensee or the person subject to the examination.(2) Conduct administrative hearings on any matter relating to this act, issue subpoenas to compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of instruments, documents, accounts, books and records at a hearing. The instruments, documents, accounts, books and records may be retained by the department until the completion of all proceedings in connection with which the materials were produced. A department official may administer oaths and affirmations to a person whose testimony is required. In the event a person fails to comply with a subpoena issued by the department or to testify on a matter which the person may be lawfully interrogated, on application by the department, the Commonwealth Court may issue an order requiring the attendance of the person, the production of instruments, documents, accounts, books and records and the giving of testimony.(3) Request and receive information or records of any kind, including reports of criminal history record information from any Federal, State, local or foreign government entity regarding an applicant for a license, licensee or person related to the business of the applicant or licensee, the cost of which shall be paid for by the applicant or licensee.(4) Issue regulations, statements of policy or orders as may be necessary for the proper conduct of the check casher business by licensees, the issuance and renewal of licenses and the enforcement of this act.(5) Prohibit or permanently remove a person who violates this act from working in the person's current capacity or in any other capacity of the person related to activities regulated by the department.(6) Order a person to make restitution for actual damages to consumers caused by any violation of this act.(7) Issue cease and desist orders that are effective immediately, subject to a hearing as provided under subsection (b) within 14 days of the issuance of the cease and desist order.(8) Impose such other conditions as the department deems appropriate.(a.1) Hearings.--A person aggrieved by a decision of the department may appeal the decision to the commission. The appeal shall be conducted under 2 Pa.C.S. Ch. 5 Subch. A (relating to practice and procedure of Commonwealth agencies).(a.2)Injunctions.--The department may maintain an action for an injunction or other process against a person to restrain and prevent the person from engaging in an activity violating this act.(a.3)Final orders.--A decision of the commission or an unappealed order of the department shall be a final order of the department and shall be enforceable in a court of competent jurisdiction. The department may publish final adjudications issued under this section, subject to redaction or modification to preserve confidentiality. The department shall regularly report violations of this act, enforcement actions and other relevant information to the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System and Registry.(a.4) Appeals.--A person aggrieved by a decision of the commission may appeal the decision under 2 Pa.C.S. Ch. 7 Subch. A (relating to judicial review of Commonwealth agency action).(b)Limitation.--The department may not require retail food stores, which must register with the department, to register with the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System and Registry.Amended by P.L. TBD 2018 No. 122, § 2, eff. 12/24/2018.Amended by P.L. TBD 2016 No. 45, § 2, eff. 8/16/2016. 1998, Feb. 18, P.L. 146, No. 22, § 104, effective in 60 days.