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S.B. 99

             1     

LABOR AMENDMENTS

             2     
2013 GENERAL SESSION

             3     
STATE OF UTAH

             4     
Chief Sponsor: Wayne A. Harper

             5     
House Sponsor: ____________

             6     
             7      LONG TITLE
             8      General Description:
             9          This bill modifies the Utah Labor Code to address procedures followed by the Labor
             10      Commission and persons subject to the jurisdiction of the Labor Commission.
             11      Highlighted Provisions:
             12          This bill:
             13          .    eliminates the commissioner's role in hearing motions for review;
             14          .    addresses the payment of attorney fees;
             15          .    imposes time frames for decisions of administrative law judges and the Appeals
             16      Board;
             17          .    requires rulemaking to facilitate timely completion of certain administrative actions;
             18          .    requires monitoring and reporting regarding the time it takes to complete a workers'
             19      compensation related administrative hearing; and
             20          .    makes technical and conforming amendments.
             21      Money Appropriated in this Bill:
             22          None
             23      Other Special Clauses:
             24          This bill takes effect on July 1, 2013.
             25      Utah Code Sections Affected:
             26      AMENDS:
             27          34A-1-303, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 382


             28          34A-1-309, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2009, Chapter 216
             29          34A-2-102, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 90
             30          34A-2-112, as enacted by Laws of Utah 1997, Chapter 375
             31          34A-2-208, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 1997, Chapter 375
             32          34A-2-420, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 1997, Chapter 375
             33          34A-2-602, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 1997, Chapter 375
             34          34A-2-801, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2009, Chapter 347
             35          34A-2-802, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2011, Chapter 297
             36          34A-5-107, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 382
             37          34A-6-304, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 382
             38     
             39      Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
             40          Section 1. Section 34A-1-303 is amended to read:
             41           34A-1-303. Review of administrative decision.
             42          (1) A decision entered by an administrative law judge under this title is the final order
             43      of the commission unless a further appeal is initiated:
             44          (a) under this title; and
             45          (b) in accordance with the rules of the commission governing the review.
             46          (2) (a) Unless otherwise provided, a person who is entitled to appeal a decision of an
             47      administrative law judge under this title may appeal the decision by filing a motion for review
             48      with the Division of Adjudication.
             49          [(b) (i) Unless a party in interest to the appeal requests in accordance with Subsection
             50      (3) that the appeal be heard by the Appeals Board, the commissioner shall hear the review in
             51      accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 4, Administrative Procedures Act.]
             52          [(ii) A decision of the commissioner is a final order of the commission unless set aside
             53      by the court of appeals.]
             54          [(c) (i) If in accordance with Subsection (3) a party in interest to the appeal requests
             55      that the appeal be heard by the Appeals Board, the]
             56          (b) (i) The Appeals Board shall hear the motion for review in accordance with:
             57          (A) Section 34A-1-205 ; and
             58          (B) Title 63G, Chapter 4, Administrative Procedures Act.


             59          (ii) A decision of the Appeals Board is a final order of the commission unless set aside
             60      by the court of appeals.
             61          [(3) A party in interest may request that an appeal be heard by the Appeals Board by
             62      filing the request with the Division of Adjudication:]
             63          [(a) as part of the motion for review; or]
             64          [(b) if requested by a party in interest who did not file a motion for review, within 20
             65      days of the date the motion for review is filed with the Division of Adjudication.]
             66          [(4)] (3) (a) On appeal, [the commissioner or] the Appeals Board may:
             67          (i) affirm the decision of an administrative law judge;
             68          (ii) modify the decision of an administrative law judge;
             69          (iii) return the case to an administrative law judge for further action as directed; or
             70          (iv) reverse the findings, conclusions, and decision of an administrative law judge.
             71          (b) The [commissioner or] Appeals Board may not conduct a trial de novo of the case.
             72          (c) The [commissioner or] Appeals Board may base its decision on:
             73          (i) the evidence previously submitted in the case; or
             74          (ii) [on] written argument or written supplemental evidence requested by the
             75      [commissioner or] Appeals Board.
             76          (d) The [commissioner or] Appeals Board may permit the parties to:
             77          (i) file briefs or other papers; or
             78          (ii) conduct oral argument.
             79          (e) The [commissioner or] Appeals Board shall promptly notify the parties to any
             80      proceedings before the [commissioner or] Appeals Board of its decision, including its findings
             81      and conclusions.
             82          [(5)] (4) (a) Each decision of a member of the Appeals Board shall represent the
             83      member's independent judgment.
             84          (b) A member of the Appeals Board may not participate in any case in which the
             85      member is an interested party.
             86          (c) If a member of the Appeals Board may not participate in a case because the member
             87      is an interested party, the two members of the Appeals Board that may hear the case shall
             88      assign an individual to participate as a member of the board in that case if the individual:
             89          (i) is not an interested party in the case;


             90          (ii) was not previously assigned to:
             91          (A) preside over any proceeding related to the case; or
             92          (B) take any administrative action related to the case; and
             93          (iii) is representative of the following group that was represented by the member that
             94      may not hear the case under Subsection [(5)] (4)(b):
             95          (A) employers;
             96          (B) employees; or
             97          (C) the public.
             98          (d) The two members of the Appeals Board may appoint an individual to participate as
             99      a member of the Appeals Board in a case if:
             100          (i) there is a vacancy on the board at the time the Appeals Board hears the review of
             101      the case;
             102          (ii) the individual appointed meets the conditions described in Subsections [(5)]
             103      (4)(c)(i) and (ii); and
             104          (iii) the individual appointed is representative of the following group that was
             105      represented by the member for which there is a vacancy:
             106          (A) employers;
             107          (B) employees; or
             108          (C) the public.
             109          [(6)] (5) If an order is appealed to the court of appeals after the party appealing the
             110      order has exhausted all administrative appeals, the court of appeals has jurisdiction to:
             111          (a) review, reverse, remand, or annul any order of the [commissioner or] Appeals
             112      Board; or
             113          (b) suspend or delay the operation or execution of the order of the [commissioner or]
             114      Appeals Board being appealed.
             115          Section 2. Section 34A-1-309 is amended to read:
             116           34A-1-309. Attorney fees.
             117          (1) In a case before the commission in which an attorney is employed, the commission
             118      has full power to regulate and fix the fees of the attorney.
             119          (2) In accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 4, Administrative Procedures Act, an
             120      attorney may file an application for hearing with the Division of Adjudication to obtain an


             121      award of attorney fees as authorized by this section and commission rules.
             122          (3) (a) The commission may award reasonable attorney fees on a contingency basis
             123      when there is generated:
             124          (i) disability or death benefits; or
             125          (ii) interest on disability or death benefits.
             126          (b) An employer or its insurance carrier shall pay attorney fees awarded under
             127      Subsection (3)(a) out of the award of:
             128          (i) disability or death benefits; or
             129          (ii) interest on disability or death benefits.
             130          (4) (a) In addition to the attorney fees ordered under Subsection (3), the commission
             131      may award reasonable attorney fees on a contingency basis for medical benefits ordered paid in
             132      the same percentages for an award under Subsection (3) provided for in rule made by the
             133      commission in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, if:
             134          (i) medical benefits are not approved by:
             135          (A) the employer or its insurance carrier; or
             136          (B) the Uninsured Employer's Fund created in Section 34A-2-704 ;
             137          (ii) after the employee employs an attorney, medical benefits are paid or ordered to be
             138      paid;
             139          (iii) the commission's informal dispute resolution mechanisms are reasonably used by
             140      the parties before adjudication; and
             141          (iv) the sum of the following at issue in the adjudication of the medical benefit claim is
             142      less than $4,000:
             143          (A) disability or death benefits; and
             144          (B) interest on disability or death benefits.
             145          (b) An employer or its insurance carrier shall pay attorney fees awarded under
             146      Subsection (4)(a) in addition to the payment of medical benefits ordered.
             147          (5) Notwithstanding the other provisions of this section, in a case brought under
             148      Chapter 2, Workers' Compensation Act, or Chapter 3, Utah Occupational Disease Act, the
             149      commission shall order that an employer or its workers' compensation insurance carrier pay the
             150      attorney fees from its own money and not from the compensation awarded to the employee if
             151      the employer or its workers' compensation insurance carrier:


             152          (a) files a motion for review of the decision of an administrative law judge; and
             153          (b) does not prevail once a final order of the commission is issued.
             154          Section 3. Section 34A-2-102 is amended to read:
             155           34A-2-102. Definition of terms.
             156          (1) As used in this chapter:
             157          (a) "Average weekly wages" means the average weekly wages as determined under
             158      Section 34A-2-409 .
             159          (b) "Award" means a final order of the commission as to the amount of compensation
             160      due:
             161          (i) an injured employee; or
             162          (ii) a dependent of a deceased employee.
             163          (c) "Compensation" means the payments and benefits provided for in this chapter or
             164      Chapter 3, Utah Occupational Disease Act.
             165          (d) (i) "Decision" means a ruling of:
             166          (A) an administrative law judge; or
             167          (B) in accordance with Section 34A-2-801 [: (I) the commissioner; or (II)], the Appeals
             168      Board.
             169          (ii) "Decision" includes:
             170          (A) an award or denial of a medical, disability, death, or other related benefit under this
             171      chapter or Chapter 3, Utah Occupational Disease Act; or
             172          (B) another adjudicative ruling in accordance with this chapter or Chapter 3, Utah
             173      Occupational Disease Act.
             174          (e) "Director" means the director of the division, unless the context requires otherwise.
             175          (f) "Disability" means an administrative determination that may result in an entitlement
             176      to compensation as a consequence of becoming medically impaired as to function. Disability
             177      can be total or partial, temporary or permanent, industrial or nonindustrial.
             178          (g) "Division" means the Division of Industrial Accidents.
             179          (h) "Impairment" is a purely medical condition reflecting an anatomical or functional
             180      abnormality or loss. Impairment may be either temporary or permanent, industrial or
             181      nonindustrial.
             182          (i) "Order" means an action of the commission that determines the legal rights, duties,


             183      privileges, immunities, or other interests of one or more specific persons, but not a class of
             184      persons.
             185          (j) (i) "Personal injury by accident arising out of and in the course of employment"
             186      includes an injury caused by the willful act of a third person directed against an employee
             187      because of the employee's employment.
             188          (ii) "Personal injury by accident arising out of and in the course of employment" does
             189      not include a disease, except as the disease results from the injury.
             190          (k) "Safe" and "safety," as applied to employment or a place of employment, means the
             191      freedom from danger to the life or health of employees reasonably permitted by the nature of
             192      the employment.
             193          (l) "Workers' Compensation Fund" means the nonprofit, quasi-public corporation
             194      created in Title 31A, Chapter 33, Workers' Compensation Fund.
             195          (2) As used in this chapter and Chapter 3, Utah Occupational Disease Act:
             196          (a) "Brother or sister" includes a half brother or sister.
             197          (b) "Child" includes:
             198          (i) a posthumous child; or
             199          (ii) a child legally adopted prior to an injury.
             200          Section 4. Section 34A-2-112 is amended to read:
             201           34A-2-112. Administration of this chapter and Chapter 3.
             202          (1) Administration of this chapter and Chapter 3, Utah Occupational Disease Act, is
             203      vested in the commission to be administered through the division, the Division of
             204      Adjudication, and for administrative appeals through the [commissioner and the] Appeals
             205      Board.
             206          (2) The commission:
             207          (a) has jurisdiction over every workplace in the state and may administer this chapter
             208      and Chapter 3, Utah Occupational Disease Act, and any rule or order issued under these
             209      chapters, to ensure that every employee in this state has a safe workplace in which employers
             210      have secured the payment of workers' compensation benefits for their employees in accordance
             211      with this chapter and Chapter 3, Utah Occupational Disease Act;
             212          (b) through the division under the supervision of the director, has the duty and full
             213      authority to take any administrative action authorized under this chapter or Chapter 3, Utah


             214      Occupational Disease Act; and
             215          (c) through the Division of Adjudication[, commissioner,] and Appeals Board, provide
             216      for the adjudication and review of an administrative action, decision, or order of the
             217      commission in accordance with this title.
             218          Section 5. Section 34A-2-208 is amended to read:
             219           34A-2-208. Right to compensation when employer fails to comply.
             220          (1) Any employee, or the employee's dependents if death has ensued, may, in lieu of
             221      proceeding against the employee's employer by civil action in the courts as provided in Section
             222      34A-2-207 , file an application with the Division of Adjudication for compensation in
             223      accordance with this chapter or Chapter 3, Utah Occupational Disease Act, when:
             224          (a) the employee's employer failed to comply with Section 34A-2-201 ;
             225          (b) the employee has been injured by accident arising out of or in the course of the
             226      employee's employment, wherever the injury occurred; and
             227          (c) the injury described in Subsection (1)(b) was not purposely self-inflicted.
             228          (2) An application for compensation filed under Subsection (1) shall be treated by the
             229      commission, including for purposes of appeal to the [commissioner or] Appeals Board, as an
             230      application for hearing under Section 34A-2-801 .
             231          (3) (a) If an application for compensation is filed under Subsection (1), in accordance
             232      with Part 8, Adjudication, the commission shall determine the award due to:
             233          (i) the injured employee; or
             234          (ii) the employee's dependents in case death has ensued.
             235          (b) The employer shall pay the award determined under Subsection (3)(a) to the
             236      persons entitled to the compensation within 10 days after receiving notice from the commission
             237      of the amount of the award determined under Subsection (3)(a).
             238          Section 6. Section 34A-2-420 is amended to read:
             239           34A-2-420. Continuing jurisdiction of commission -- No authority to change
             240      statutes of limitation -- Authority to destroy records -- Interest on award -- Authority to
             241      approve final settlement claims.
             242          (1) (a) The powers and jurisdiction of the commission over each case shall be
             243      continuing.
             244          (b) After notice and hearing, the Division of Adjudication[, commissioner,] or Appeals


             245      Board in accordance with Part 8, Adjudication, may from time to time modify or change a
             246      former finding or order of the commission.
             247          (c) This section may not be interpreted as modifying in any respect the statutes of
             248      limitations contained in other sections of this chapter or Chapter 3, Utah Occupational Disease
             249      Act.
             250          (d) The commission may not in any respect change the statutes of limitation referred to
             251      in Subsection (1)(c).
             252          (2) Records pertaining to cases that have been closed and inactive for 10 years, other
             253      than cases of total permanent disability or cases in which a claim has been filed as in Section
             254      34A-2-417 , may be destroyed at the discretion of the commission.
             255          (3) Awards made by a final order of the commission shall include interest at the rate of
             256      8% per annum from the date when each benefit payment would have otherwise become due
             257      and payable.
             258          (4) Notwithstanding Subsection (1) and Section 34A-2-108 , an administrative law
             259      judge shall review and may approve the agreement of the parties to enter into a full and final:
             260          (a) compromise settlement of disputed medical, disability, or death benefit entitlements
             261      under this chapter or Chapter 3, Utah Occupational Disease Act; or
             262          (b) commutation and settlement of reasonable future medical, disability, or death
             263      benefit entitlements under this chapter or Chapter 3 by means of a lump sum payment,
             264      structured settlement, or other appropriate payout.
             265          Section 7. Section 34A-2-602 is amended to read:
             266           34A-2-602. Physical examinations.
             267          (1) The division or an administrative law judge may require an employee claiming the
             268      right to receive compensation under this chapter to submit to a medical examination at any
             269      time, and from time to time, at a place reasonably convenient for the employee, and as may be
             270      provided by the rules of the commission.
             271          (2) If an employee refuses to submit to an examination under Subsection (1), or
             272      obstructs the examination, the employee's right to have the employee's claim for compensation
             273      considered, if the employee's claim is pending before an administrative law judge[,
             274      commissioner,] or the Appeals Board, or to receive any payments for compensation theretofore
             275      granted by a final order of the commission, shall be suspended during the period of the refusal


             276      or obstruction.
             277          Section 8. Section 34A-2-801 is amended to read:
             278           34A-2-801. Initiating adjudicative proceedings -- Procedure for review of
             279      administrative action.
             280          (1) (a) To contest an action of the employee's employer or its insurance carrier
             281      concerning a compensable industrial accident or occupational disease alleged by the employee
             282      or a dependent any of the following shall file an application for hearing with the Division of
             283      Adjudication:
             284          (i) the employee;
             285          (ii) a representative of the employee, the qualifications of whom are defined in rule by
             286      the commission; or
             287          (iii) a dependent as described in Section 34A-2-403 .
             288          (b) To appeal the imposition of a penalty or other administrative act imposed by the
             289      division on the employer or its insurance carrier for failure to comply with this chapter or
             290      Chapter 3, Utah Occupational Disease Act, any of the following shall file an application for
             291      hearing with the Division of Adjudication:
             292          (i) the employer;
             293          (ii) the insurance carrier; or
             294          (iii) a representative of either the employer or the insurance carrier, the qualifications
             295      of whom are defined in rule by the commission.
             296          (c) A person providing goods or services described in Subsections 34A-2-407 (11) and
             297      34A-3-108 (12) may file an application for hearing in accordance with Section 34A-2-407 or
             298      34A-3-108 .
             299          (d) An attorney may file an application for hearing in accordance with Section
             300      34A-1-309 .
             301          (2) Unless a party in interest appeals the decision of an administrative law judge in
             302      accordance with Subsection (3), the decision of an administrative law judge on an application
             303      for hearing filed under Subsection (1) is a final order of the commission 30 days after the day
             304      on which the decision is issued. An administrative law judge shall issue a decision by no later
             305      than 60 days from the day on which the hearing is held under this part unless:
             306          (a) the parties agree to a longer period of time; or


             307          (b) a decision within the 60-day period is impracticable.
             308          (3) (a) A party in interest may appeal the decision of an administrative law judge by
             309      filing a motion for review with the Division of Adjudication within 30 days of the date the
             310      decision is issued.
             311          [(b) Unless a party in interest to the appeal requests under Subsection (3)(c) that the
             312      appeal be heard by the Appeals Board, the commissioner shall hear the review.]
             313          [(c) A party in interest may request that an appeal be heard by the Appeals Board by
             314      filing the request with the Division of Adjudication:]
             315          [(i) as part of the motion for review; or]
             316          [(ii) if requested by a party in interest who did not file a motion for review, within 20
             317      days of the day on which the motion for review is filed with the Division of Adjudication.]
             318          [(d)] (b) A case appealed to the Appeals Board shall be decided by the majority vote of
             319      the Appeals Board.
             320          (4) All records on appeals shall be maintained by the Division of Adjudication. Those
             321      records shall include an appeal docket showing the receipt and disposition of the appeals on
             322      review.
             323          (5) Upon appeal, the [commissioner or] Appeals Board shall make its decision in
             324      accordance with Section 34A-1-303 . The Appeals Board shall issue a decision under this part
             325      by no later than 90 days from the day on which the motion for review is filed unless:
             326          (a) the parties agree to a longer period of time; or
             327          (b) a decision within the 90-day period is impracticable.
             328          (6) The [commissioner or] Appeals Board shall promptly notify the parties to a
             329      proceeding before it of its decision, including its findings and conclusions.
             330          (7) The decision of the [commissioner or] Appeals Board is final unless within 30 days
             331      after the date the decision is issued further appeal is initiated under the provisions of this
             332      section or Title 63G, Chapter 4, Administrative Procedures Act.
             333          (8) (a) Within 30 days after the day on which the decision of the [commissioner or]
             334      Appeals Board is issued, an aggrieved party may secure judicial review by commencing an
             335      action in the court of appeals against the [commissioner or] Appeals Board for the review of
             336      the decision of the [commissioner or] Appeals Board.
             337          (b) In an action filed under Subsection (8)(a):


             338          (i) any other party to the proceeding before the [commissioner or] Appeals Board shall
             339      be made a party; and
             340          (ii) the commission shall be made a party.
             341          (c) A party claiming to be aggrieved may seek judicial review only if the party exhausts
             342      the party's remedies before the commission as provided by this section.
             343          (d) At the request of the court of appeals, the commission shall certify and file with the
             344      court all documents and papers and a transcript of all testimony taken in the matter together
             345      with the decision of the [commissioner or] Appeals Board.
             346          (9) (a) The commission shall make rules, in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3,
             347      Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, to facilitate timely completion of administrative actions
             348      under this part.
             349          (b) The commission shall monitor the time from filing of an application for a hearing
             350      to issuance of a final order of the commission for cases brought under this part.
             351          (c) The commission shall annually report to the Business and Labor Interim
             352      Committee:
             353          (i) the number of cases for which an application for hearing is filed under this part in
             354      the previous calendar year;
             355          (ii) the number of cases described in Subsection (9)(c)(i) for which the decision of the
             356      administrative law judge was not issued within the 60-day period required by Subsection (2);
             357          (iii) the number of cases described in Subsection (9)(c)(i) that are appealed to the
             358      Appeals Board for which the decision of the Appeals Board was not issued within the 90-day
             359      period required by Subsection (5);
             360          (iv) the number of cases described in Subsection (9)(c)(i) for which a final order of the
             361      commission is issued within 18 months of the day on which the application for hearing is filed;
             362          (v) the number of cases for which a final order of the commission is not issued within
             363      18 months of the day on which the application for a hearing is filed; and
             364          (vi) the reasons the cases described in Subsection (9)(c)(v) were not resolved within 18
             365      months of the day on which the application for a hearing is filed.
             366          Section 9. Section 34A-2-802 is amended to read:
             367           34A-2-802. Rules of evidence and procedure before commission -- Admissible
             368      evidence.


             369          (1) The commission, [the commissioner,] an administrative law judge, or the Appeals
             370      Board, is not bound by the usual common law or statutory rules of evidence, or by any
             371      technical or formal rules or procedure, other than as provided in this section or as adopted by
             372      the commission pursuant to this chapter and Chapter 3, Utah Occupational Disease Act. The
             373      commission may make its investigation in such manner as in its judgment is best calculated to
             374      ascertain the substantial rights of the parties and to carry out justly the spirit of the chapter.
             375          (2) The commission may receive as evidence and use as proof of any fact in dispute all
             376      evidence considered material and relevant including the following:
             377          (a) depositions and sworn testimony presented in open hearings;
             378          (b) reports of attending or examining physicians, or of pathologists;
             379          (c) reports of investigators appointed by the commission;
             380          (d) reports of employers, including copies of time sheets, book accounts, or other
             381      records; or
             382          (e) hospital records in the case of an injured or diseased employee.
             383          Section 10. Section 34A-5-107 is amended to read:
             384           34A-5-107. Procedure for aggrieved person to file claim -- Investigations --
             385      Adjudicative proceedings -- Settlement -- Reconsideration -- Determination.
             386          (1) (a) Any person claiming to be aggrieved by a discriminatory or prohibited
             387      employment practice may, or that person's attorney or agent may, make, sign, and file with the
             388      division a request for agency action.
             389          (b) Every request for agency action shall be verified under oath or affirmation.
             390          (c) A request for agency action made under this section shall be filed within 180 days
             391      after the alleged discriminatory or prohibited employment practice occurred.
             392          (d) The division may transfer a request for agency action filed with the division
             393      pursuant to this section to the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in
             394      accordance with the provisions of any work-share agreement that is:
             395          (i) between the division and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission; and
             396          (ii) in effect on the day on which the request for agency action is transferred.
             397          (2) Any employer, labor organization, joint apprenticeship committee, or vocational
             398      school who has an employee or member who refuses or threatens to refuse to comply with this
             399      chapter may file with the division a request for agency action asking the division for assistance


             400      to obtain the employee's or member's compliance by conciliation or other remedial action.
             401          (3) (a) Before a hearing is set or held as part of any adjudicative proceeding, the
             402      division shall promptly assign an investigator to attempt a settlement between the parties by
             403      conference, conciliation, or persuasion.
             404          (b) If no settlement is reached, the investigator shall make a prompt impartial
             405      investigation of all allegations made in the request for agency action.
             406          (c) The division and its staff, agents, and employees:
             407          (i) shall conduct every investigation in fairness to all parties and agencies involved;
             408      and
             409          (ii) may not attempt a settlement between the parties if it is clear that no discriminatory
             410      or prohibited employment practice has occurred.
             411          (d) An aggrieved party may withdraw the request for agency action prior to the
             412      issuance of a final order.
             413          (4) (a) If the initial attempts at settlement are unsuccessful, and the investigator
             414      uncovers insufficient evidence during the investigation to support the allegations of a
             415      discriminatory or prohibited employment practice set out in the request for agency action, the
             416      investigator shall formally report these findings to the director or the director's designee.
             417          (b) Upon receipt of the investigator's report described in Subsection (4)(a), the director
             418      or the director's designee may issue a determination and order for dismissal of the adjudicative
             419      proceeding.
             420          (c) A party may make a written request to the Division of Adjudication for an
             421      evidentiary hearing to review de novo the director's or the director's designee's determination
             422      and order within 30 days of the date the determination and order for dismissal is issued.
             423          (d) If the director or the director's designee receives no timely request for a hearing, the
             424      determination and order issued by the director or the director's designee becomes the final order
             425      of the commission.
             426          (5) (a) If the initial attempts at settlement are unsuccessful and the investigator
             427      uncovers sufficient evidence during the investigation to support the allegations of a
             428      discriminatory or prohibited employment practice set out in the request for agency action, the
             429      investigator shall formally report these findings to the director or the director's designee.
             430          (b) (i) Upon receipt of the investigator's report described in Subsection (5)(a), the


             431      director or the director's designee may issue a determination and order based on the
             432      investigator's report.
             433          (ii) A determination and order issued under this Subsection (5)(b) shall:
             434          (A) direct the respondent to cease any discriminatory or prohibited employment
             435      practice; and
             436          (B) provide relief to the aggrieved party as the director or the director's designee
             437      determines is appropriate.
             438          (c) A party may file a written request to the Division of Adjudication for an evidentiary
             439      hearing to review de novo the director's or the director's designee's determination and order
             440      within 30 days of the date the determination and order is issued.
             441          (d) If the director or the director's designee receives no timely request for a hearing, the
             442      determination and order issued by the director or the director's designee in accordance with
             443      Subsection (5)(b) becomes the final order of the commission.
             444          (6) In any adjudicative proceeding to review the director's or the director's designee's
             445      determination that a prohibited employment practice has occurred, the division shall present the
             446      factual and legal basis of the determination or order issued under Subsection (5).
             447          (7) (a) Prior to commencement of an evidentiary hearing:
             448          (i) the party filing the request for agency action may reasonably and fairly amend any
             449      allegation; and
             450          (ii) the respondent may amend its answer.
             451          (b) An amendment permitted under this Subsection (7) may be made:
             452          (i) during or after a hearing; and
             453          (ii) only with permission of the presiding officer.
             454          (8) (a) If, upon all the evidence at a hearing, the presiding officer finds that a
             455      respondent has not engaged in a discriminatory or prohibited employment practice, the
             456      presiding officer shall issue an order dismissing the request for agency action containing the
             457      allegation of a discriminatory or prohibited employment practice.
             458          (b) The presiding officer may order that the respondent be reimbursed by the
             459      complaining party for the respondent's attorneys' fees and costs.
             460          (9) If upon all the evidence at the hearing, the presiding officer finds that a respondent
             461      has engaged in a discriminatory or prohibited employment practice, the presiding officer shall


             462      issue an order requiring the respondent to:
             463          (a) cease any discriminatory or prohibited employment practice; and
             464          (b) provide relief to the complaining party, including:
             465          (i) reinstatement;
             466          (ii) back pay and benefits;
             467          (iii) attorneys' fees; and
             468          (iv) costs.
             469          (10) Conciliation between the parties is to be urged and facilitated at all stages of the
             470      adjudicative process.
             471          (11) (a) Either party may file with the Division of Adjudication a written request for
             472      review before the [commissioner or] Appeals Board of the order issued by the presiding officer
             473      in accordance with:
             474          (i) Section 63G-4-301 ; and
             475          (ii) Chapter 1, Part 3, Adjudicative Proceedings.
             476          (b) If there is no timely request for review, the order issued by the presiding officer
             477      becomes the final order of the commission.
             478          (12) An order of the commission under Subsection (11)(a) is subject to judicial review
             479      as provided in:
             480          (a) Section 63G-4-403 ; and
             481          (b) Chapter 1, Part 3, Adjudicative Proceedings.
             482          (13) The commission shall have authority to make rules concerning procedures under
             483      this chapter in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act.
             484          (14) The commission and its staff may not divulge or make public any information
             485      gained from any investigation, settlement negotiation, or proceeding before the commission
             486      except as provided in Subsections (14)(a) through (d).
             487          (a) Information used by the director or the director's designee in making any
             488      determination may be provided to all interested parties for the purpose of preparation for and
             489      participation in proceedings before the commission.
             490          (b) General statistical information may be disclosed provided the identities of the
             491      individuals or parties are not disclosed.
             492          (c) Information may be disclosed for inspection by the attorney general or other legal


             493      representatives of the state or the commission.
             494          (d) Information may be disclosed for information and reporting requirements of the
             495      federal government.
             496          (15) The procedures contained in this section are the exclusive remedy under state law
             497      for employment discrimination based upon:
             498          (a) race;
             499          (b) color;
             500          (c) sex;
             501          (d) retaliation;
             502          (e) pregnancy, childbirth, or pregnancy-related conditions;
             503          (f) age;
             504          (g) religion;
             505          (h) national origin; or
             506          (i) disability.
             507          (16) (a) The commencement of an action under federal law for relief based upon any
             508      act prohibited by this chapter bars the commencement or continuation of any adjudicative
             509      proceeding before the commission in connection with the same claims under this chapter.
             510          (b) The transfer of a request for agency action to the Equal Employment Opportunity
             511      Commission in accordance with Subsection (1)(d) is considered the commencement of an
             512      action under federal law for purposes of Subsection (16)(a).
             513          (c) Nothing in this Subsection (16) is intended to alter, amend, modify, or impair the
             514      exclusive remedy provision set forth in Subsection (15).
             515          Section 11. Section 34A-6-304 is amended to read:
             516           34A-6-304. Procedure for review of order entered by administrative law judge --
             517      Continuing jurisdiction of commission.
             518          (1) (a) Administrative law judges assigned by the director of the Division of
             519      Adjudication shall hear and determine any proceeding assigned to them by the Division of
             520      Adjudication.
             521          (b) The administrative law judge shall enter the administrative law judge's findings of
             522      fact, conclusions of law, and order not later than 30 days after final receipt of all matters
             523      concerned in the hearing.


             524          (c) The findings of fact, conclusions of law, and order of the administrative law judge
             525      shall become the final order of the commission unless objections are made in accordance with
             526      Subsection (2).
             527          (2) (a) Any party of interest who is dissatisfied with the order entered by an
             528      administrative law judge may obtain a review by appealing the decision in accordance with
             529      Section 63G-4-301 and Chapter 1, Part 3, Adjudicative Proceedings.
             530          (b) The [commissioner or] Appeals Board shall make its decision in accordance with
             531      Section 34A-1-303 .
             532          (c) The decision of the commission is final unless judicial review is requested in
             533      accordance with Chapter 1, Part 3, Adjudicative Proceedings.
             534          (d) To the extent that new facts are provided, the commission has continuing
             535      jurisdiction to amend, reverse, or enhance prior orders.
             536          Section 12. Effective date.
             537          This bill takes effect on July 1, 2013.




Legislative Review Note
    as of 1-31-13 7:13 PM


Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel


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