The TDA does not make any recommendation as to a specific penalty for a given infraction other than outright collusion/cheating and that penalty is basically disqualification. As to your specific question, TDA Rule 40 (which is too long to quote fully IMO) describes a range of penalty actions available to the TD, starting with a warning, a one-hand penalty, multiple hand penalties and finally disquaification
The specific penalty assessed is dependent upon a number of factors, including by not limited to, experience level of the player, the 'history' of the player, the infraction and so forth.
Example #1, a player says "fold" and shows his/her cards to the player on his/her left before that player has acted. The dealer calls you as the TD and explains the situation. During the investigation, you learn that this player has NEVER played a poker tournament before, either live or on-line and did not know this was an infraction. You have to do something, but what?
Example #2, same set of facts, EXCEPT you know the offending player has several years experience in live tournament play. What do you do in this case?
My response ---
#1 -- In the first case I would take the player aside and explain why this is an infraction, in effect assessing a one-hand penalty while talking to the player.
#2 -- Since this player is experienced and absolutely knows the action is an infraction I would find out if he/she knows the player to the left. If not I would try to ascertain the 'history' of this player and this action. If this is the first time and the offending player does not know the player on the left, I might be so lenient as to just issue a warning or maybe a one round penalty, depending again the experience with this player, i.e., is he/she a jerk or just made a mistake. If it has happened before, whether that same event or not and again the offending player and the player to the left are not acquainted, I would be inclined to issue at least a one-round penalty, but more likely two rounds. If this is the first time and the offending player and the player to the left are acquainted, I would be inclined to issue a several round penalty, if not a disqualification, as this is almost blatant collusion. If they are acquainted and this has happened before, regardless of whether in this same event or not, I would disqualify the player and remove his/her remaining chips from play. Furthermore, if I thought the player on the left was an 'active' participant, I would issue the same penalty (either missed hands or disqualification).
Knowing your players and their prior actions are one of the factors involved with the decision of the WSOP to keep a computer record of the infractions by individual players.
We all have those players in our events who continue to 'push the envelope' to see just how much they can get away with. Recording infractions and penalties assessed are a 'tool' to be used by the TD as you do your best to run your events and make it enjoyable for everyone.
Hope this helps!!