Offences
Section 80 – Offences in relation to registration under Chapter 3
148.This section sets out offences under Chapter 3. Subsection (1) makes it an offence for a person to describe any service as a care service for the purposes of this Act when it is not registered as such. This would catch, for example, an hotel owner who tried to pretend their hotel was a care home. If convicted of an offence under this subsection, the person would be liable to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale or up to three months imprisonment, or both.
149.Subsection (2) makes it an offence not to display a certificate of registration in a prominent place. The penalty on summary conviction is a fine not exceeding level 2 on the standard scale.
150.Subsection (3) provides that an individual or body, other than an adoption agency, making arrangements for the adoption of a child would be prosecuted under section 75 of the Adoption and Children (Scotland) Act 2007 (asp 4) rather than this Act. This will ensure that there is not duplication of powers under this Act and the 2007 Act.
Section 81 – False statements in application under Chapter 3
151.This section makes it an offence to knowingly give information which is false or misleading in a material respect when making an application for registration, or for variation or removal of a condition. The penalty on summary conviction is a fine not exceeding level 4 on the standard scale.
Section 82 – Offences by bodies corporate etc.
152.This section provides that if an offence under Chapter 3 (or regulations made under Chapter 3) is committed with the consent or connivance of an officer of a body corporate, a local authority, a partnership, or an unincorporated association, or if that officer has been complicit or been negligent, then the officer as well as the organisation is guilty of the offence. Individual officers of a body corporate, partners of a partnership, or persons managing or controlling an unincorporated association who are complicit in an offence under this Chapter will not be able to escape prosecution simply because the organisation is liable: both they and it may be liable to prosecution.