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H.B. 159 Enrolled

             1     

PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYER ORGANIZATION

             2     
LICENSING ACT

             3     
2008 GENERAL SESSION

             4     
STATE OF UTAH

             5     
Chief Sponsor: James A. Dunnigan

             6     
Senate Sponsor: Wayne L. Niederhauser

             7     
             8      LONG TITLE
             9      General Description:
             10          This bill modifies provisions related to the Insurance Code and Occupations and
             11      Professions to change the regulation of professional employer organizations from
             12      registration under the Division of Occupations and Professional Licensing to licensure
             13      under the Insurance Department.
             14      Highlighted Provisions:
             15          This bill:
             16          .    repeals the Professional Employer Organization Registration Act;
             17          .    enacts the Professional Employer Organization Licensing Act, including:
             18              .    defining terms;
             19              .    addressing the duties of the Insurance Department, including rulemaking;
             20              .    providing for confidentiality of certain information;
             21              .    outlining enforceable rights and obligations in a coemployment relationship;
             22              .    discussing covered employees;
             23              .    outlining rights and obligations affected or unaffected by the act;
             24              .    establishing financial requirements;
             25              .    addressing issues such as insurance, taxation, benefit plans, workers'
             26      compensation, unemployment compensation insurance, and employment related
             27      economic incentives;
             28              .    imposing licensing requirements and procedures, including grandfathering; and
             29              .    providing for enforcement; and


             30          .    makes technical and conforming amendments.
             31      Monies Appropriated in this Bill:
             32          None
             33      Other Special Clauses:
             34          None
             35      Utah Code Sections Affected:
             36      AMENDS:
             37          34A-2-103, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2006, Chapter 295
             38          34A-2-105, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2005, Chapter 71
             39          35A-4-202, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2006, Chapter 22
             40          49-12-102, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2006, Chapter 260
             41          49-13-102, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2006, Chapter 260
             42      ENACTS:
             43          31A-40-101, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             44          31A-40-102, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             45          31A-40-103, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             46          31A-40-104, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             47          31A-40-201, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             48          31A-40-202, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             49          31A-40-203, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             50          31A-40-204, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             51          31A-40-205, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             52          31A-40-206, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             53          31A-40-207, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             54          31A-40-208, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             55          31A-40-209, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             56          31A-40-210, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             57          31A-40-211, Utah Code Annotated 1953


             58          31A-40-301, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             59          31A-40-302, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             60          31A-40-303, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             61          31A-40-304, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             62          31A-40-305, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             63          31A-40-306, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             64          31A-40-401, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             65          31A-40-402, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             66      REPEALS:
             67          58-59-101, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2003, Chapter 260
             68          58-59-102, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2007, Chapter 134
             69          58-59-301, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2003, Chapter 260
             70          58-59-302, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2007, Chapter 134
             71          58-59-302.5, as enacted by Laws of Utah 2007, Chapter 134
             72          58-59-303, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2003, Chapter 260
             73          58-59-303.5, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2007, Chapter 134
             74          58-59-306, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2007, Chapter 134
             75          58-59-306.5, as enacted by Laws of Utah 2007, Chapter 134
             76          58-59-308, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2005, Chapter 102
             77          58-59-501, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2003, Chapters 131 and 260
             78          58-59-503, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2003, Chapter 260
             79     
             80      Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
             81          Section 1. Section 31A-40-101 is enacted to read:
             82     
CHAPTER 40. PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYER ORGANIZATION LICENSING     ACT

             83     
Part 1. General Provisions

             84          31A-40-101. Title.
             85          This chapter is known as the "Professional Employer Organization Licensing Act."


             86          Section 2. Section 31A-40-102 is enacted to read:
             87          31A-40-102. Definitions.
             88          As used in this chapter:
             89          (1) (a) Except as provided in Subsection (1)(b), "administrative fee" means a fee
             90      charged to a client by a professional employer organization for a professional employer service.
             91          (b) "Administrative fee" does not include an amount or a fee received by a professional
             92      employer organization that is:
             93          (i) compensation of a covered employee;
             94          (ii) a benefit for a covered employee;
             95          (iii) a payroll-related tax;
             96          (iv) an unemployment insurance contribution;
             97          (v) withholding of compensation for a covered employee;
             98          (vi) a workers' compensation premium; or
             99          (vii) another assessment paid by a professional employer organization to or on behalf of
             100      a covered employee under a professional employer agreement.
             101          (2) "Assurance organization" means a person designated as an assurance organization in
             102      accordance with Section 31A-40-303 .
             103          (3) "Client" means a person who enters into a professional employer agreement with a
             104      professional employer organization.
             105          (4) "Coemployer" means:
             106          (a) a client; or
             107          (b) a professional employer organization.
             108          (5) "Coemployment relationship" means a relationship:
             109          (a) that is intended to be ongoing rather than a temporary or project specific
             110      relationship; and
             111          (b) wherein the rights and obligations of an employer that arise out of an employment
             112      relationship are allocated between coemployers pursuant to:
             113          (i) a professional employer agreement; or


             114          (ii) this chapter.
             115          (6) Notwithstanding Section 31A-1-301 , "controlling person" means a person who,
             116      individually or acting in concert with one or more persons, owns, directly or indirectly, 10% or
             117      more of the equity interest in a professional employer organization.
             118          (7) "Covered employee" means an individual who has a coemployment relationship with
             119      a client and a professional employer organization if the conditions of Section 31A-40-203 are
             120      met.
             121          (8) (a) "Employment related economic incentive" means:
             122          (i) (A) a credit against or exemption from taxes due the state or a political subdivision
             123      of the state; or
             124          (B) an economic inducement, including a loan or a grant; and
             125          (ii) if the credit, exemption, or economic inducement described in Subsection (8)(a)(i):
             126          (A) is offered by the state or a political subdivision of the state; and
             127          (B) has an eligibility requirement that relates in whole or in part to employment
             128      including:
             129          (I) the number of employees; or
             130          (II) the nature of the employment.
             131          (9) "Guarantee" means to assume an obligation of another person if that person fails to
             132      meet the obligation.
             133          (10) "Licensee" means a person licensed under this chapter.
             134          (11) "Professional employer agreement" means a written contract by and between a
             135      client and a professional employer organization that provides for:
             136          (a) the coemployment of a covered employee;
             137          (b) with respect to a covered employee, the allocation of a right or obligation of an
             138      employer between:
             139          (i) the client; and
             140          (ii) the professional employer organization; and
             141          (c) the assumption of the obligations imposed by this chapter by:


             142          (i) the client; or
             143          (ii) the professional employer organization.
             144          (12) (a) Subject to Subsection (12)(b), "professional employer organization" means a
             145      person engaged in the business of providing a professional employer service.
             146          (b) "Professional employer organization" does not include:
             147          (i) a person that:
             148          (A) does not:
             149          (I) have as a principal business activity the entering into of a professional employer
             150      arrangement; or
             151          (II) hold the person out as a professional employer organization; and
             152          (B) shares an employee with a commonly owned company within the meaning of
             153      Sections 414(b) and (c), Internal Revenue Code;
             154          (ii) an independent contractor arrangement by which a person:
             155          (A) assumes responsibility for the product produced or service performed by the person
             156      or the person's agent; and
             157          (B) retains and exercises primary direction and control over the work performed by an
             158      individual whose service is supplied under the independent contractor arrangement; or
             159          (iii) a person providing temporary help service.
             160          (13) "Professional employer organization group" means two or more professional
             161      employer organizations that are majority owned or commonly controlled or directed by the
             162      same one or more persons.
             163          (14) "Professional employer service" means the service of entering into a coemployment
             164      relationship under this chapter under which all or a majority of the employees who provide a
             165      service to a client, or a division or work unit of a client, are covered employees.
             166          (15) "Qualified actuary" means an individual who:
             167          (a) is a member in good standing of a professional actuarial accreditation organization
             168      designated by the department by rule;
             169          (b) is qualified to sign a statement of actuarial opinion or annual statement for a


             170      professional employer organization in accordance with the qualification standards for an actuary
             171      signing an opinion or annual statement as provided by the professional actuarial accreditation
             172      organization designated under Subsection (15)(a);
             173          (c) is familiar with the valuation requirements applicable to a professional employer
             174      organization;
             175          (d) has not been found by the commissioner, or if so found has subsequently been
             176      reinstated as a qualified actuary, following appropriate notice and hearing to have:
             177          (i) violated a provision of, or an obligation imposed by, statute or other law in the
             178      course of the actuary's dealings as a qualified actuary;
             179          (ii) been found guilty of a fraudulent or dishonest practice;
             180          (iii) demonstrated the actuary's incompetency, lack of cooperation, or untrustworthiness
             181      to act as a qualified actuary;
             182          (iv) submitted to the commissioner during the past five years, pursuant to this rule, an
             183      actuarial opinion or memorandum that the commissioner rejected because it did not meet the
             184      provisions of rule; or
             185          (v) resigned or been removed as an actuary within the past five years as a result of an
             186      act or omission indicated in an adverse report on examination or as a result of failure to adhere
             187      to a generally acceptable actuarial standard; and
             188          (e) has not failed to notify the commissioner of an action taken by any commissioner of
             189      another state similar to that under Subsection (15)(d).
             190          (16) "Temporary help service" means a service consisting of a person:
             191          (a) recruiting and hiring the person's own employee;
             192          (b) finding another person that wants the services of that employee;
             193          (c) assigning the employee to:
             194          (i) perform services at or for the other person to support or supplement the other
             195      person's employees;
             196          (ii) provide assistance in a special work situation such as:
             197          (A) an employee absence;


             198          (B) a skill shortage; or
             199          (C) a seasonal workload; or
             200          (iii) perform a special assignment or project; and
             201          (d) customarily reassigning the employee to another organization when the employee
             202      finishes an assignment.
             203          (17) "Working capital" means the current assets minus the current liabilities of a
             204      professional employer organization determined in accordance with generally accepted
             205      accounting principles.
             206          Section 3. Section 31A-40-103 is enacted to read:
             207          31A-40-103. Duties of the commissioner.
             208          (1) (a) The commissioner shall maintain a list of professional employer organizations
             209      that are licensed under this chapter.
             210          (b) The commissioner shall make the list required by this Subsection (1) available to the
             211      public by electronic or other means.
             212          (2) In accordance with Title 63, Chapter 46a, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, the
             213      commissioner:
             214          (a) shall make rules to prescribe the requirements for forms required under this chapter;
             215      and
             216          (b) may make rules to prescribe the requirements for the review and submission of a
             217      financial statement under Section 31A-40-305 :
             218          (i) that are consistent with generally accepted accounting principles; and
             219          (ii) including the timeliness of a financial statement.
             220          (3) A rule in effect on May 5, 2008 under the repealed Title 58, Chapter 59,
             221      Professional Employer Organization Registration Act, shall be:
             222          (a) renumbered as a rule made under this chapter; and
             223          (b) remain in effect until such time as the commissioner modifies or repeals the rule.
             224          (4) The commissioner shall report to the Business and Labor Committee by no later
             225      than the November 2009 interim meeting as to whether the commissioner recommends that the


             226      working capital requirements of Section 31A-40-205 be modified.
             227          Section 4. Section 31A-40-104 is enacted to read:
             228          31A-40-104. Confidentiality -- Cooperation with other agencies.
             229          (1) Notwithstanding Title 63, Chapter 2, Government Records Access and Management
             230      Act, and except as provided in Subsection (2), (3), or (4), the commissioner or department may
             231      not disclose information obtained from a professional employer organization under this chapter.
             232          (2) The commissioner or department may disclose information on an aggregate basis
             233      that does not identify an individual professional employer organization or client.
             234          (3) The commissioner or department may disclose information obtained from a
             235      professional employer organization under this chapter to a government entity if the government
             236      entity requires the information to perform the government entity's duties.
             237          (4) (a) The commissioner shall coordinate the commissioner's administration of this
             238      chapter and share information with:
             239          (i) the Department of Workforce Services;
             240          (ii) the Labor Commission; and
             241          (iii) the State Tax Commission.
             242          (b) An agency listed in Subsection (4)(a) shall treat the information obtained under this
             243      section as confidential unless disclosure of the information is required in accordance with:
             244          (i) this title; or
             245          (ii) Title 63, Chapter 2, Government Records Access and Management Act.
             246          Section 5. Section 31A-40-201 is enacted to read:
             247     
Part 2. Coemployment Relationship and Professional Employer Services

             248          31A-40-201. Enforceable rights and obligations.
             249          (1) In a coemployment relationship under a professional employer agreement:
             250          (a) a professional employer organization:
             251          (i) may only enforce a right of an employer that is specifically allocated to the
             252      professional employer organization under the professional employer agreement or this chapter;
             253      and


             254          (ii) is subject only to an obligation of an employer specifically allocated to the
             255      professional employer organization by the professional employer agreement or this chapter; and
             256          (b) a client:
             257          (i) may enforce a right of an employer:
             258          (A) allocated to the client in the professional employer agreement or this chapter; or
             259          (B) not specifically allocated to the professional employer organization under the
             260      professional employer agreement or this chapter; and
             261          (ii) is subject to an obligation of an employer:
             262          (A) allocated to the client by the professional employer agreement or this chapter; or
             263          (B) not specifically allocated to a professional employer organization by the
             264      professional employer agreement or this chapter.
             265          (2) A right or obligation of a professional employer organization as a coemployer of a
             266      covered employee is limited to a right or obligation arising pursuant to the professional
             267      employer agreement and this chapter during the term of coemployment of the covered employee
             268      by the professional employer organization.
             269          Section 6. Section 31A-40-202 is enacted to read:
             270          31A-40-202. Professional employer agreement -- Specific responsibilities.
             271          (1) Except as specifically provided in this chapter, a coemployment relationship
             272      between a client and a professional employer organization, and between each coemployer and a
             273      covered employee, is governed by a professional employer agreement.
             274          (2) (a) As used in this Subsection (2), unless a professional employer organization
             275      expressly agrees to assume liability for the payment in a professional employer agreement, the
             276      term "compensation to a covered employee" does not include an obligation between a client and
             277      a covered employee for a payment beyond or in addition to the covered employee's salary,
             278      draw, or regular rate of pay, such as:
             279          (i) a bonus;
             280          (ii) a commission;
             281          (iii) severance pay;


             282          (iv) deferred compensation;
             283          (v) profit sharing; or
             284          (vi) pay for vacation, sick, or other paid time off.
             285          (b) A professional employer agreement shall include the following:
             286          (i) the allocation of a right or obligation consistent with Section 31A-40-201 ;
             287          (ii) a requirement that the professional employer organization shall:
             288          (A) pay compensation to a covered employee; and
             289          (B) withhold, collect, report, and remit one or more of the following:
             290          (I) a payroll-related tax; and
             291          (II) an unemployment insurance contribution; and
             292          (C) to the extent that the professional employer organization assumes responsibility in
             293      the professional employer agreement, make payments for an employee benefit of a covered
             294      employee;
             295          (iii) that the professional employer organization has a right to hire, discipline, or
             296      terminate a covered employee to the extent necessary to fulfill the professional employer
             297      organization's obligations under the professional employer agreement and this chapter;
             298          (iv) that the client has a right to hire, discipline, and terminate a covered employee; and
             299          (v) the responsibility of the client or professional employer organization related to
             300      obtaining workers' compensation coverage for a covered employee in a manner consistent with
             301      Section 31A-40-209 .
             302          (3) A professional employer organization shall provide written notice to a covered
             303      employee of the general nature of the coemployment relationship between and among the
             304      professional employer organization, the client, and the covered employee.
             305          (4) (a) Except to the extent otherwise expressly provided by the professional employer
             306      agreement:
             307          (i) a client is solely responsible for the quality, adequacy, or safety of a good or service
             308      produced or sold in the client's business;
             309          (ii) a client is solely responsible for directing, supervising, training, and controlling the


             310      work of a covered employee with respect to:
             311          (A) a business activity of the client;
             312          (B) the discharge of a fiduciary responsibility of the client; or
             313          (C) compliance with a licensure, registration, or certification requirement applicable to
             314      the client or to the covered employee;
             315          (iii) a client is solely responsible for an act, error, or omission of a covered employee
             316      with regard to a circumstance described in Subsection (4)(a)(ii);
             317          (iv) a client is not liable for an act, error, or omission of:
             318          (A) a professional employer organization; or
             319          (B) a covered employee, if the covered employee is acting under the express direction
             320      and control of the professional employer organization; and
             321          (v) a professional employer organization is not liable for an act, error, or omission of:
             322          (A) a client; or
             323          (B) a covered employee, if the covered employee is acting under the express direction
             324      and control of the client.
             325          (b) This Subsection (4) may not be interpreted to limit a contractual liability or
             326      obligation specifically provided in a professional employer agreement.
             327          (c) (i) Unless the conditions of Subsection (4)(c)(ii) are met, a covered employee is not,
             328      solely as the result of being a covered employee of a professional employer organization, an
             329      employee of the professional employer organization for purposes of one or more of the
             330      following carried by the professional employer organization:
             331          (A) general liability insurance;
             332          (B) a fidelity bond;
             333          (C) a surety bond;
             334          (D) an employer liability that is not covered by workers' compensation; or
             335          (E) liquor liability insurance.
             336          (ii) A covered employee is considered an employee of the professional employer
             337      organization for a purpose described in Subsection (4)(c)(i) if the covered employee is included


             338      by specific reference for that purpose in:
             339          (A) the professional employer agreement; and
             340          (B) a prearranged employment contract, insurance contract, or bond.
             341          Section 7. Section 31A-40-203 is enacted to read:
             342          31A-40-203. Covered employee.
             343          (1) (a) An individual is a covered employee of a professional employer organization if
             344      the individual is coemployed pursuant to a professional employer agreement subject to this
             345      chapter.
             346          (b) An individual who is a covered employee under a professional employer agreement
             347      is a covered employer, whether or not the professional employer organization provides the
             348      notice required by Subsection 31A-40-202 (3), the earlier of the day on which:
             349          (i) the employee is first compensated by the professional employer organization; or
             350          (ii) the client notifies the professional employer organization of a new hire.
             351          (2) An individual who is an officer, director, shareholder, partner, or manager of a client
             352      is a covered employee:
             353          (a) to the extent that the client and the professional employer organization expressly
             354      agree in the professional employer agreement that the individual is a covered employee;
             355          (b) if the conditions of Subsection (1) are met; and
             356          (c) if the individual acts as an operational manager or performs day-to-day an
             357      operational service for the client.
             358          Section 8. Section 31A-40-204 is enacted to read:
             359          31A-40-204. Rights and obligations unaffected -- Licensed, registered, or certified
             360      occupations or professions.
             361          (1) This chapter does not and a professional employer agreement may not affect,
             362      modify, or amend a:
             363          (a) collective bargaining agreement; or
             364          (b) right or obligation of a client, professional employer organization, or covered
             365      employee under:


             366          (i) the federal National Labor Relations Act, 29 U.S.C. Sec. 151 et seq.;
             367          (ii) the federal Railway Labor Act, 45 U.S.C. Sec. 151 et seq.; or
             368          (iii) a state law similar to a federal law described in this Subsection (1)(b).
             369          (2) (a) A professional employer agreement may not:
             370          (i) diminish, abolish, or remove a right of a covered employee to a client or an
             371      obligation of the client to a covered employee that exists on or before the day on which the
             372      professional employer agreement takes effect;
             373          (ii) affect, modify, or amend a contractual relationship or restrictive covenant between a
             374      covered employee and a client in effect on the day on which the professional employer
             375      agreement takes effect; or
             376          (iii) prohibit or amend a contractual relationship or restrictive covenant that is entered
             377      into between a covered employee and a client after the day on which the professional employer
             378      agreement takes effect.
             379          (b) A professional employer organization is not responsible or liable in connection with,
             380      or arising out of, a contractual relationship or restrictive covenant described in Subsection
             381      (2)(a) unless the professional employer organization specifically agrees to be responsible in
             382      writing.
             383          (3) This chapter does not and a professional employer agreement may not create an
             384      enforceable right of a covered employee against a professional employer organization that is not
             385      specifically provided by the professional employer agreement or this chapter.
             386          (4) (a) Except as provided in this Subsection (4), this chapter does not and a
             387      professional employer agreement may not affect, modify, or amend a state, local, or federal
             388      license, registration, or certification requirement applicable to a client or a covered employee.
             389          (b) If a covered employee is required by federal or state law to be licensed, registered,
             390      or certified, the covered employee is considered to be solely an employee of the client for
             391      purposes of the license, registration, or certification requirement.
             392          (c) A professional employer organization is not considered to engage in an activity that
             393      is subject to licensing, registration, or certification by a local, state, or federal government or is


             394      regulated by a local, state, or federal government solely by entering into or maintaining a
             395      coemployment relationship with a covered employee who is:
             396          (i) subject to licensing, registration, or certification; or
             397          (ii) regulated by the local, state, or federal government.
             398          (d) A client has the sole right to direct or control a professional, licensed, registered, or
             399      certified activity of:
             400          (i) a covered employee; and
             401          (ii) the client's business.
             402          (e) Notwithstanding this chapter, a covered employee and client remain subject to
             403      regulation by the local, state, or federal government responsible for licensing, registration, or
             404      certification of the covered employee or client.
             405          Section 9. Section 31A-40-205 is enacted to read:
             406          31A-40-205. Financial capability.
             407          (1) Except as provided in Subsection (2) or (4), as of the day a person applies for
             408      licensure or renewal of a license and at all times while licensed, a professional employer
             409      organization or collectively a professional employer organization group shall:
             410          (a) have at least $100,000 in working capital as determined by generally accepted
             411      accounting principles; or
             412          (b) provide to the commissioner one of the following in an amount equal to or greater
             413      than an amount calculated by subtracting the amount of working capital of the professional
             414      employer organization or professional employer organization group from $100,000:
             415          (i) a bond;
             416          (ii) an irrevocable letter of credit;
             417          (iii) one or more credits or securities as determined by the market value of the credits or
             418      securities; or
             419          (iv) a combination of Subsections (1)(b)(i) through (iii).
             420          (2) (a) Except as provided in Subsection (2)(c), the license of a professional employer
             421      organization or professional employer organization group terminates 180 days from the day on


             422      which the commissioner finds that the professional employer organization has less than
             423      $100,000 in working capital, unless the professional employer organization or professional
             424      employer organization group eliminates the deficiency within 180 days of the day on which the
             425      commissioner makes the finding.
             426          (b) During the 180-day period described in Subsection (2)(a), the professional employer
             427      organization or professional employer organization group shall submit quarterly to the
             428      commissioner:
             429          (i) a quarterly financial statement; and
             430          (ii) an attestation that:
             431          (A) is signed by:
             432          (I) the chief executive officer or a controlling person of the professional employer
             433      organization; or
             434          (II) for a professional employer organization group, the chief executive officer or chief
             435      financial officer of each member of the professional employer organization group; and
             436          (B) states that all of the following are paid for a covered employee when due by the
             437      professional employer organization or each member of the professional employer organization
             438      group:
             439          (I) compensation;
             440          (II) a benefit;
             441          (III) a payroll-related tax;
             442          (IV) an unemployment insurance contribution;
             443          (V) withholding of compensation for a covered employee;
             444          (VI) workers' compensation premium; or
             445          (VII) another assessment paid by a professional employer organization to or on behalf
             446      of a covered employee under a professional employer agreement.
             447          (c) The license of a professional employer organization or professional employer
             448      organization group terminates on the day on which the commissioner finds that the professional
             449      employer organization:


             450          (i) has negative working capital; and
             451          (ii) (A) is incapable of continued operations; or
             452          (B) poses an immediate threat to the public welfare.
             453          (3) A bond, letter of credit, or security described in Subsection (1) shall:
             454          (a) be held as designated by the commissioner; and
             455          (b) secure payment by the professional employer organization or the professional
             456      employer organization group of the following payments or other entitlements due to or with
             457      respect to a covered employee, if the professional employer organization or each member of the
             458      professional employer organization group does not make a payment when due:
             459          (i) compensation of a covered employee;
             460          (ii) a benefit for a covered employee;
             461          (iii) payroll-related taxes;
             462          (iv) unemployment insurance contributions; and
             463          (v) workers' compensation premiums.
             464          (4) A professional employer organization is exempt from this section if the professional
             465      employer organization is licensed:
             466          (a) through an assurance organization in accordance with Section 31A-40-303 ; or
             467          (b) under this chapter with a small operation license in accordance with Section
             468      31A-40-304 .
             469          Section 10. Section 31A-40-206 is enacted to read:
             470          31A-40-206. Professional employer service not insurance.
             471          (1) A professional employer organization licensed under this chapter is not considered
             472      engaged in the sale of insurance or as acting as a third party administrator when the professional
             473      employer organization engages in one or more of the following with respect to a professional
             474      employer service:
             475          (a) offering;
             476          (b) marketing;
             477          (c) selling;


             478          (d) administering; or
             479          (e) providing.
             480          (2) Subsection (1) applies to a professional employer service that includes an employee
             481      benefit plan for a covered employee.
             482          Section 11. Section 31A-40-207 is enacted to read:
             483          31A-40-207. Taxation.
             484          (1) (a) A covered employee whose service is subject to a sales or use tax under Title 59,
             485      Chapter 12, Sales and Use Tax Act, is considered the employee of the client for purposes of
             486      imposing and collecting the sales or use tax on the service performed by the covered employee.
             487          (b) This chapter may not be interpreted to relieve a client of a sales or use tax liability
             488      with respect to a good or service of the client.
             489          (2) (a) If the amount of a tax or fee described in Subsection (2)(b) is determined on the
             490      basis of the gross receipts of a professional employer organization, only an administrative fee
             491      collected by the professional employer organization is considered gross receipts.
             492          (b) This Subsection (2) applies to:
             493          (i) a tax on a professional employer service;
             494          (ii) a business license fee; or
             495          (iii) another fee or charge.
             496          (3) A taxing entity shall assess a tax assessed on a per capita or per employee basis:
             497          (a) on a client for a covered employee; and
             498          (b) on the professional employer organization for an employee of the professional
             499      employer organization who is not a covered employee coemployed with a client.
             500          (4) If a tax is imposed or calculated on the basis of total payroll, the professional
             501      employer organization is eligible to apply a small business allowance or exemption available to
             502      the client for a covered employee for the purpose of computing the tax.
             503          Section 12. Section 31A-40-208 is enacted to read:
             504          31A-40-208. Benefit plan.
             505          (1) A client and a professional employer organization licensed under this chapter shall


             506      each be considered an employer for purposes of sponsoring a retirement or welfare benefit plan
             507      for a covered employee.
             508          (2) A fully insured welfare benefit plan offered to a covered employee of a single
             509      professional employer organization licensed under this chapter:
             510          (a) is to be treated as a single employer welfare benefit plan for purposes of this title
             511      and rules made under this title;
             512          (b) may not be considered an employer welfare fund or plan, as described in Section
             513      31A-13-101 ; and
             514          (c) the single professional employer organization that sponsors the fully insured welfare
             515      plan is exempt from the registration requirements under this title for:
             516          (i) an insurance provider; or
             517          (ii) an employer welfare fund or plan.
             518          (3) For purposes of Chapter 30, Individual, Small Employer, and Group Health
             519      Insurance Act:
             520          (a) a professional employer organization licensed under this chapter is considered the
             521      employer of a covered employee; and
             522          (b) all covered employees of one or more clients participating in a health benefit plan
             523      sponsored by a single professional employer organization licensed under this chapter are
             524      considered employees of that professional employer organization.
             525          (4) A professional employer organization licensed under this chapter may offer to a
             526      covered employee a health benefit plan that is not fully insured by an authorized insurer, only if:
             527          (a) the professional employer organization has operated as a professional employer
             528      organization for at least one year before the day on which the professional employer
             529      organization offers the health benefit plan; and
             530          (b) the health benefit plan:
             531          (i) is administered by a third-party administrator licensed to do business in this state;
             532          (ii) holds all assets of the health benefit plan, including participant contributions, in a
             533      trust account;


             534          (iii) has and maintains reserves that are sound for the health benefit plan as determined
             535      by an actuary who:
             536          (A) uses generally accepted actuarial standards of practice; and
             537          (B) is an independent qualified actuary, including not being an employee or covered
             538      employee of the professional employer organization;
             539          (iv) provides written notice to a covered employee participating in the health benefit
             540      plan that the health benefit plan is self-insured or is not fully insured; and
             541          (v) consents to an audit:
             542          (A) on a random basis; or
             543          (B) upon a finding of a reasonable need by the commissioner.
             544          (5) The cost of an audit described in Subsection (4)(b)(v) shall be paid by the
             545      sponsoring professional employer organization.
             546          (6) A plan of a professional employer organization described in Subsection (4) that is
             547      not fully insured:
             548          (a) is subject to the requirements of this section; and
             549          (b) is not subject to another licensure or approval requirement of this title.
             550          Section 13. Section 31A-40-209 is enacted to read:
             551          31A-40-209. Workers' compensation.
             552          (1) In accordance with Section 34A-2-103 , a client is responsible for securing workers'
             553      compensation coverage for a covered employee.
             554          (2) Subject to the requirements of Section 34A-2-103 , if a professional employer
             555      organization obtains or assists a client in obtaining workers' compensation insurance pursuant to
             556      a professional employer agreement:
             557          (a) the professional employer organization shall ensure that the client maintains and
             558      provides workers' compensation coverage for a covered employee in accordance with
             559      Subsection 34A-2-201 (1) or (2) and rules of the Labor Commission, made in accordance with
             560      Title 63, Chapter 46a, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act;
             561          (b) the workers' compensation coverage may show the professional employer


             562      organization as the named insured through a multiple coordinated policy, if:
             563          (i) the client is shown as an insured by means of an endorsement for each individual
             564      client;
             565          (ii) the experience modification of a client is used; and
             566          (iii) the insurer files the endorsement with the Division of Industrial Accidents as
             567      directed by a rule of the Labor Commission, made in accordance with Title 63, Chapter 46a,
             568      Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act;
             569          (c) at the termination of the professional employer agreement, if requested by the client,
             570      the insurer shall provide the client records regarding the loss experience related to workers'
             571      compensation insurance provided to a covered employee pursuant to the professional employer
             572      agreement; and
             573          (d) the insurer shall notify a client if the workers' compensation coverage for the client
             574      is terminated.
             575          (3) In accordance with Section 34A-2-105 , the exclusive remedy provisions of Section
             576      34A-2-105 apply to both the client and the professional employer organization under a
             577      professional employer agreement regulated under this chapter.
             578          (4) Notwithstanding the other provisions in this section, an insurer may choose whether
             579      to issue:
             580          (a) a policy for a client; or
             581          (b) a multiple coordinated policy with the client shown as an additional insured by
             582      means of an individual endorsement.
             583          Section 14. Section 31A-40-210 is enacted to read:
             584          31A-40-210. Unemployment compensation insurance.
             585          (1) For purposes of Title 35A, Chapter 4, Employment Security Act, a covered
             586      employee of a professional employer organization licensed under this chapter is considered the
             587      employee of the professional employer organization.
             588          (2) The professional employer organization described in Subsection (1) shall pay a
             589      contribution, penalty, or interest required under Title 35A, Chapter 4, Employment Security


             590      Act, on wages, as defined in Section 35A-4-208 , paid by the professional employer organization
             591      to the covered employee during the term of the professional employer agreement.
             592          (3) A professional employer organization shall report and pay a required contribution to
             593      the unemployment compensation fund when due using the state employer account number and
             594      the contribution rate of the professional employer organization.
             595          (4) Unless a client is otherwise eligible for an experience rating, the Unemployment
             596      Insurance Division of the Department of Workforce Services shall treat a client as a new
             597      employer without a previous experience record beginning on the day on which:
             598          (a) a professional employer agreement between the client and a professional employer
             599      organization terminates; or
             600          (b) the professional employer organization fails to submit a report or make a tax
             601      payment when due as required by this chapter.
             602          Section 15. Section 31A-40-211 is enacted to read:
             603          31A-40-211. Employment related economic incentives -- Employment information
             604      -- Client's status.
             605          (1) Notwithstanding the other provisions of this chapter, for purposes of determining
             606      eligibility for an employment related economic incentive, a covered employee is considered only
             607      an employee of the client.
             608          (2) (a) If eligibility for an employment related economic incentive relates to a covered
             609      employee, the client is entitled to the employment related economic incentive if the client is
             610      otherwise eligible for the employment related economic incentive.
             611          (b) A professional employer organization is not eligible for an employment related
             612      economic incentive described in Subsection (2)(a).
             613          (3) If eligibility for or the amount of an employment related economic incentive is
             614      determined on the basis of the number of employees, a client is treated as employing only:
             615          (a) a covered employee coemployed by the client under the professional employer
             616      agreement; or
             617          (b) an employee solely employed by the client.


             618          (4) Subject to a confidentiality provision in federal or state law, a professional employer
             619      organization shall provide employment information:
             620          (a) upon the request of:
             621          (i) the client; or
             622          (ii) the governmental entity administering an employment related economic incentive;
             623      and
             624          (b) reasonably required for:
             625          (i) administration of an employment related economic incentive; or
             626          (ii) necessary to support any of the following by a client seeking an employment related
             627      economic incentive:
             628          (A) a request;
             629          (B) a claim;
             630          (C) an application; or
             631          (D) another action.
             632          (5) With respect to a bid, contract, purchase order, or agreement entered into with the
             633      state or a political subdivision of the state, the fact that the client enters into a professional
             634      employer agreement does not affect the client's status or certification as a:
             635          (a) small business;
             636          (b) minority-owned business;
             637          (c) disadvantaged business;
             638          (d) woman-owned business; or
             639          (e) historically underutilized business.
             640          Section 16. Section 31A-40-301 is enacted to read:
             641     
Part 3. Licensing Requirements

             642          31A-40-301. Licensing required.
             643          (1) Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, a person may not engage in the
             644      following before the day on which the person is licensed under this chapter:
             645          (a) providing a professional employer service in this state;


             646          (b) advertising that the person provides a professional employer service in this state; or
             647          (c) holding itself out as providing a professional employer service in this state.
             648          (2) A person described in Subsection (1) is subject to this chapter regardless of whether
             649      the person uses one of the following terms with or without the term "registered" or "licensed":
             650          (a) "administrative employer";
             651          (b) "employee leasing company";
             652          (c) "professional employer organization";
             653          (d) "PEO";
             654          (e) "staff leasing company"; or
             655          (f) another name.
             656          Section 17. Section 31A-40-302 is enacted to read:
             657          31A-40-302. Licensing process -- Grandfathering.
             658          (1) To apply for an initial or renewal license under this chapter, a person shall:
             659          (a) (i) file an application with the commissioner on a form and in a manner the
             660      commissioner shall determine by rule made in accordance with Title 63, Chapter 46a, Utah
             661      Administrative Rulemaking Act; and
             662          (ii) pay a license fee determined in accordance with Section 31A-3-103 that is not
             663      refunded if the application:
             664          (A) is denied; or
             665          (B) if incomplete, is never completed by the person filing the application; or
             666          (b) comply with Section 31A-40-303 .
             667          (2) In the application described in Subsection (1)(a), the person shall provide:
             668          (a) any name under which the professional employer organization will engage in a
             669      professional employer service;
             670          (b) the address of the principal place of business of the professional employer
             671      organization;
             672          (c) the address of each location the professional employer organization maintains in this
             673      state;


             674          (d) the professional employer organization's federal taxpayer or employer identification
             675      number;
             676          (e) the following information by jurisdiction of each name under which the professional
             677      employer organization operated in the five years preceding the day on which the person files the
             678      application:
             679          (i) the name;
             680          (ii) an alternative name, if any;
             681          (iii) a name of a predecessor; and
             682          (iv) if known, a successor business entity;
             683          (f) a statement of ownership that includes the name and evidence of the business
             684      experience of a person that, individually or acting in concert with one or more other persons,
             685      owns or controls, directly or indirectly, 10% or more of the equity interests of the professional
             686      employer organization;
             687          (g) a statement of management that includes the name and evidence of the business
             688      experience of a person who:
             689          (i) serves as president of the professional employer organization;
             690          (ii) serves as chief executive officer of the professional employer organization; or
             691          (iii) may act as a senior executive officer of the professional employer organization; and
             692          (h) a financial statement that:
             693          (i) sets forth the financial condition of:
             694          (A) the professional employer organization; or
             695          (B) a professional employer organization group in which the professional employer
             696      organization is a member;
             697          (ii) states whether or not the professional employer organization complies with Section
             698      31A-40-205 ; and
             699          (iii) complies with Section 31A-40-305 .
             700          (3) A professional employer organization that is registered by the Division of
             701      Occupations and Professional Licensing as of May 4, 2008 shall comply with this section by no


             702      later than November 5, 2008. An initial license obtained under this Subsection (3) is valid until
             703      the end of the professional employer organization's first full fiscal year that immediately follows
             704      the day on which the initial license application is filed.
             705          (4) Within 180 days after the day on which a professional employer organization's fiscal
             706      year ends, a professional employer organization shall renew its license by complying with
             707      Subsection (1).
             708          Section 18. Section 31A-40-303 is enacted to read:
             709          31A-40-303. Licensed through an assurance organization.
             710          (1) (a) A person may comply with Section 31A-40-302 by:
             711          (i) filing with the commissioner:
             712          (A) a certification that an assurance organization certifies the qualifications of the
             713      professional employer organization;
             714          (B) the information required by Subsections 31A-40-302 (2)(a) through (d) and
             715      31A-40-302 (2)(h); and
             716          (C) any changes to the information required by Subsection (1)(a)(i)(B) within 30 days
             717      of the day on which the information changes; and
             718          (ii) paying a license fee determined in accordance with Section 31A-3-103 .
             719          (b) A professional employer organization that meets the requirements of Section
             720      31A-40-302 by complying with this section is not required to:
             721          (i) renew its license until the day on which the assurance organization no longer certifies
             722      the qualifications of the professional employer organization;
             723          (ii) provide the information in Subsections 31A-40-302 (2)(e) through (g); or
             724          (iii) comply with Section 31A-40-205 .
             725          (c) If a professional employer organization that meets the requirements of Section
             726      31A-40-302 by complying with this section receives a new or renewed certification by the
             727      assurance organization, the professional employer organization shall file with the commissioner
             728      a new certification within 30 days from the day on which the professional employer organization
             729      receives the new or renewed certification from the assurance organization.


             730          (d) (i) If a professional employer organization authorizes an assurance organization to
             731      act on behalf of the professional employer organization for purposes of licensure under this
             732      section, the commissioner shall accept the assurance organization's filing of the information
             733      required by Subsection (1)(a) or (1)(c) if the information otherwise complies with this section
             734      and commission rules.
             735          (ii) Notwithstanding Subsection (1)(d)(i), if the assurance organization fails to make a
             736      required filing under this section, the commissioner may not accept, not renew, or terminate the
             737      professional employer organization's license.
             738          (2) The commissioner shall designate one or more assurance organizations by rule:
             739          (a) consistent with this section;
             740          (b) made in accordance with Title 63, Chapter 46a, Utah Administrative Rulemaking
             741      Act; and
             742          (c) that requires that an assurance organization designated by the commissioner be
             743      licensed by one or more states other than Utah to certify the qualifications of a professional
             744      employer organization.
             745          (3) The qualifications certified by an assurance organization designated by the
             746      commissioner shall include at a minimum that a professional employer organization:
             747          (a) ensure that each controlling person of the professional employer organization:
             748          (i) be competent to manage a professional employer organization;
             749          (ii) be responsible in the controlling person's finances; and
             750          (iii) not have a history of or be engaged in unlawful activities;
             751          (b) has a history that is verifiable that the professional employer organization:
             752          (i) complies with regulatory requirements; and
             753          (ii) engages in financially responsible conduct;
             754          (c) has or is able to obtain audited financial statements;
             755          (d) has an adjusted net worth equal to or in excess of the greater of:
             756          (i) $100,000; or
             757          (ii) 5% of total adjusted liabilities;


             758          (e) has liquid assets that are sufficient to pay short-term liabilities as demonstrated by a
             759      ratio determined by dividing current assets by current liabilities or a similar formula;
             760          (f) has on its books adequate financial reserves for all local, state, and federal
             761      self-insurance and any insurance policy or plan in which the final cost of coverage is affected by
             762      claim losses;
             763          (g) operates in conformity with all applicable laws and regulations including those laws
             764      and regulations in addition to this chapter;
             765          (h) does not engage in deceptive trade practices or misrepresentations of an employer's
             766      obligation or liability;
             767          (i) has a written professional employer agreement with each client;
             768          (j) has or is willing to obtain a written acknowledgment, as part of an existing form or
             769      separately, from each covered employee stating that the covered employee understands and
             770      accepts the nature, terms, and conditions of the coemployment relationship;
             771          (k) establishes and maintains a coemployment relationship by assuming key employer
             772      attributes with respect to covered employees as demonstrated by the professional employer
             773      agreement and employment forms, policies, and procedures;
             774          (l) provides all covered employees with a written copy of the professional employer
             775      organization's employment policies and procedures;
             776          (m) ensures that all covered employees are covered in a regulatory compliant manner by
             777      workers' compensation insurance;
             778          (n) does not knowingly use the coemployment relationship to assist a client to evade or
             779      avoid the client's obligations under:
             780          (i) the National Labor Relations Act, 29 U.S.C. Sec. 151 et seq.;
             781          (ii) the federal Railway Labor Act, 45 U.S.C. Sec. 151 et seq.; or
             782          (iii) any collective bargaining agreement;
             783          (o) except through a licensed insurance agent, does not:
             784          (i) represent or imply that it can sell insurance;
             785          (ii) attempt to sell insurance; or


             786          (iii) sell insurance;
             787          (p) markets and provides, or is willing to market and provide professional employer
             788      service under a separate and distinct trade name from any affiliated professional employer
             789      organization that is not certified by the assurance organization;
             790          (q) does not allow any person not certified by the assurance organization to use the
             791      professional employer organization's trade name in the sale or delivery of the professional
             792      employer organization's professional employer service;
             793          (r) does not guarantee, participate in, transfer between, or otherwise share liabilities
             794      with any other professional employer organization that is not certified by the assurance
             795      organization:
             796          (i) in the employment of covered employees; or
             797          (ii) in any employee benefit or insurance policy or plan that is not fully insured and fully
             798      funded; and
             799          (s) has the ability to provide a regulatory agency or insurance carrier upon request with:
             800          (i) a client's name, address, and federal tax identification number;
             801          (ii) payroll data by:
             802          (A) client;
             803          (B) (I) client SIC Code of the 1987 Standard Industrial Classification Manual of the
             804      federal Executive Office of the President, Office of Management and Budget; or
             805          (II) client classification under the 2002 North American Industry Classification System
             806      of the federal Executive Office of the President, Office of Management and Budget; and
             807          (C) workers' compensation classification;
             808          (iii) the names of covered employees by:
             809          (A) the worksite of a client; and
             810          (B) workers' compensation classification; and
             811          (iv) workers' compensation certificates of insurance.
             812          (4) This section does not modify the commissioner's authority or responsibility to
             813      accept, renew, or terminate a license.


             814          Section 19. Section 31A-40-304 is enacted to read:
             815          31A-40-304. Small operation license.
             816          (1) A professional employer organization may obtain a small operation license under
             817      this chapter if the professional employer organization:
             818          (a) files an application for a small operation license with the commissioner:
             819          (i) on a form and in a manner the commissioner shall determine by rule made in
             820      accordance with Title 63, Chapter 46a, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act; and
             821          (ii) that includes the information and documentation the commissioner determines is
             822      necessary to show that the professional employer organization qualifies for a small operation
             823      license;
             824          (b) pays a small operation license fee determined in accordance with Section
             825      31A-3-103 , that is not refunded if the application:
             826          (i) is denied; or
             827          (ii) if incomplete, is never completed by the person filing the application;
             828          (c) is domiciled outside of this state;
             829          (d) is licensed or registered as a professional employer organization in another state;
             830          (e) does not maintain an office in this state or directly solicit a client that:
             831          (i) is domiciled in this state; or
             832          (ii) maintains a location within this state;
             833          (f) does not have at any time more than 50 covered employees employed or domiciled
             834      in this state; and
             835          (g) is not owned or directed by another professional employer organization operating in
             836      the state.
             837          (2) (a) A small operation license is valid for one year.
             838          (b) A professional employer organization may annually renew a small operation license.
             839          (3) A professional employer organization with a small operation license under this
             840      chapter is not subject to Section 31A-40-205 .
             841          Section 20. Section 31A-40-305 is enacted to read:


             842          31A-40-305. Financial statements required for licensing.
             843          (1) (a) A person that files a financial statement with an application for an initial license
             844      under Section 31A-40-302 shall file the professional employer organization's most recent audit
             845      as of the day the application is filed, except that the financial statement may not be older than
             846      ten months from the day on which the application is filed.
             847          (b) A person that files a financial statement to renew a license shall file the most recent
             848      financial statement of the professional employer organization as of the day the application for
             849      renewal is filed with the commission.
             850          (c) (i) The person filing an application may apply for an extension with the
             851      commissioner if the request for an extension is accompanied by a letter from the person
             852      conducting the audit for the financial statement stating:
             853          (A) the reason for the delay; and
             854          (B) the anticipated date on which the audit will be completed.
             855          (ii) If a person complies with Subsection (1)(c)(i), the commissioner may grant an
             856      extension up to 30 days from the day on which the financial statement is due under this section.
             857          (d) A professional employer organization may file a combined or consolidated financial
             858      statement if:
             859          (i) the professional employer organization is owned by or in common control with
             860      another person; and
             861          (ii) the combined or consolidated financial statement clearly identifies the following of
             862      the professional employer organization:
             863          (A) its working capital;
             864          (B) its assets; and
             865          (C) its liabilities.
             866          (2) A financial statement required by this chapter shall be:
             867          (a) prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
             868          (b) audited by an independent certified public accountant licensed to practice in the
             869      jurisdiction in which the person conducting the audit is located; and


             870          (c) without qualification as to the going concern status of the professional employer
             871      organization.
             872          (3) Notwithstanding the other provisions of this section, the commissioner shall license
             873      a professional employer organization that does not have sufficient operating history to have an
             874      audited financial statement on the basis of at least 12 months if:
             875          (a) the professional employer organization complies with the other requirements for
             876      licensure, including Section 31A-40-205 ; and
             877          (b) the person filing the application for license files a financial statement that is reviewed
             878      by a certified public accountant.
             879          Section 21. Section 31A-40-306 is enacted to read:
             880          31A-40-306. Professional employer organization group.
             881          (1) Subject to Subsection (2), a professional employer organization that is a member of
             882      a professional employer organization group may comply with Section 31A-40-205 or Sections
             883      31A-40-302 through 31A-40-305 on a combined or consolidated basis if each member of the
             884      professional employer organization group guarantees the obligations under this chapter of each
             885      other member of the professional employer organization group.
             886          (2) The controlling entity of a professional employer organization group shall guarantee
             887      the obligations of a professional employer organization under this chapter if the professional
             888      employer organization group files a combined or consolidated audited financial statement that
             889      includes a person that is not:
             890          (a) a professional employer organization; or
             891          (b) a member of the professional employer organization group.
             892          Section 22. Section 31A-40-401 is enacted to read:
             893     
Part 4. Enforcement

             894          31A-40-401. Prohibited acts.
             895          (1) A person may not:
             896          (a) offer or provide a professional employer service if the person is not licensed under
             897      this chapter;


             898          (b) use one of the following names if the person is not licensed under this chapter:
             899          (i) "administrative employer";
             900          (ii) "employee leasing";
             901          (iii) "PEO";
             902          (iv) "professional employer organization";
             903          (v) "staff leasing"; or
             904          (vi) other name that represents the provision of a professional employer service;
             905          (c) knowingly provide false or fraudulent information to the commissioner:
             906          (i) in conjunction with an application to be licensed or to renew a license under this
             907      chapter; or
             908          (ii) in a report required under this chapter;
             909          (d) knowingly make a material misrepresentation to the commissioner or other
             910      governmental agency;
             911          (e) fail to make a filing with a state agency that is required by this chapter or the
             912      professional employer agreement within 30 days of the day on which the filing is due;
             913          (f) fail to make a payment to a state agency that is required by this chapter or the
             914      professional employer agreement within 30 days of the day on which the payment is due;
             915          (g) (i) offer a covered employee a self-funded medical plan unless the self-funded
             916      medical plan is maintained for the sole benefit of covered employees;
             917          (ii) misrepresent that a self-funded medical plan it offers is other than self-funded; or
             918          (iii) offer to a covered employee a self-funded or partially self-funded medical plan
             919      without delivering to a plan participant a summary plan description that accurately describes the
             920      terms of the plan, including disclosure that the plan is self-funded or partially self-funded;
             921          (h) subject to Subsection (2), divert to another purpose or use other than as designated
             922      funds paid by a client to the professional employer organization and designated for:
             923          (i) compensation of a covered employee;
             924          (ii) a benefit of a covered employee;
             925          (iii) a payroll-related tax;


             926          (iv) an unemployment insurance contribution;
             927          (v) withholding of compensation for a covered employee;
             928          (vi) a workers' compensation premium; or
             929          (vii) another assessment paid by a professional employer organization to or on behalf of
             930      a covered employee under a professional employer agreement;
             931          (i) provide a covered employee to a client under a provision, term, or condition that is
             932      not contained in a professional employer arrangement between the professional employer
             933      organization and client;
             934          (j) engage in a willful, fraudulent, or deceitful act that:
             935          (i) is by a professional employer organization, caused by a professional employer
             936      organization, or at a professional employer organization's direction; and
             937          (ii) causes material injury to a client or covered employee;
             938          (k) fail to comply with a federal law or state law, to the extent state law is not
             939      preempted by federal law, regarding an employee benefit offered to an employee; or
             940          (l) willfully or recklessly violate this chapter or an order or rule issued by the
             941      commissioner under this chapter.
             942          (2) If a client defaults on a professional employer agreement or otherwise fails to pay a
             943      professional employer organization, the professional employer organization is not in violation of
             944      this section if the professional employer organization allocates the deficient payment to the
             945      portions of an invoice.
             946          Section 23. Section 31A-40-402 is enacted to read:
             947          31A-40-402. Disciplinary action.
             948          (1) Notwithstanding Section 31A-2-308 , in accordance with this section the
             949      commissioner may take action against a person if the commissioner finds that the person:
             950          (a) is violating or has violated Section 31A-40-401 ; or
             951          (b) (i) is a:
             952          (A) professional employer organization licensed under this chapter; or
             953          (B) controlling person of a professional employer organization licensed under this


             954      chapter; and
             955          (ii) is convicted of a crime that relates to:
             956          (A) the operation of a professional employer organization;
             957          (B) fraud or deceit; or
             958          (C) the ability of the professional employer organization or a controlling person of the
             959      professional employer organization to operate a professional employer organization.
             960          (2) After notice and an opportunity for a hearing in accordance with Title 63, Chapter
             961      46b, Administrative Procedures Act, if the commissioner makes a finding described in
             962      Subsection (1), the commissioner may:
             963          (a) deny an application for a license;
             964          (b) revoke, restrict, or refuse to renew a license;
             965          (c) place a licensee on probation for the period and subject to conditions specified by
             966      the commissioner;
             967          (d) impose an administrative penalty in an amount not to exceed $2,500 for each
             968      violation; or
             969          (e) issue a cease and desist order.
             970          Section 24. Section 34A-2-103 is amended to read:
             971           34A-2-103. Employers enumerated and defined -- Regularly employed --
             972      Statutory employers.
             973          (1) (a) The state, and each county, city, town, and school district in the state are
             974      considered employers under this chapter and Chapter 3, Utah Occupational Disease Act.
             975          (b) For the purposes of the exclusive remedy in this chapter and Chapter 3, Utah
             976      Occupational Disease Act prescribed in Sections 34A-2-105 and 34A-3-102 , the state is
             977      considered to be a single employer and includes any office, department, agency, authority,
             978      commission, board, institution, hospital, college, university, or other instrumentality of the state.
             979          (2) (a) Except as provided in Subsection (4), each person, including each public utility
             980      and each independent contractor, who regularly employs one or more workers or operatives in
             981      the same business, or in or about the same establishment, under any contract of hire, express or


             982      implied, oral or written, is considered an employer under this chapter and Chapter 3, Utah
             983      Occupational Disease Act.
             984          (b) As used in this Subsection (2):
             985          (i) "Independent contractor" means any person engaged in the performance of any work
             986      for another who, while so engaged, is:
             987          (A) independent of the employer in all that pertains to the execution of the work;
             988          (B) not subject to the routine rule or control of the employer;
             989          (C) engaged only in the performance of a definite job or piece of work; and
             990          (D) subordinate to the employer only in effecting a result in accordance with the
             991      employer's design.
             992          (ii) "Regularly" includes all employments in the usual course of the trade, business,
             993      profession, or occupation of the employer, whether continuous throughout the year or for only
             994      a portion of the year.
             995          (3) (a) The client [company in an employee leasing arrangement] under a professional
             996      employer organization agreement regulated under Title [58, Chapter 59] 31A, Chapter 40,
             997      Professional Employer Organization [Registration] Licensing Act[,]:
             998          (i) is considered the employer of [leased employees] a covered employee; and
             999          (ii) subject to Section 31A-40-209 , shall secure workers' compensation benefits for
             1000      [them] a covered employee by complying with Subsection 34A-2-201 (1) or (2) and commission
             1001      rules.
             1002          [(b) An insurance carrier may underwrite workers' compensation secured in accordance
             1003      with Subsection (3)(a) showing the leasing company as the named insured and each client
             1004      company as an additional insured by means of individual endorsements.]
             1005          [(c) Endorsements shall be filed with the division as directed by commission rule.]
             1006          [(d)] (b) The division shall promptly inform the [Division of Occupation and
             1007      Professional Licensing within the Department of Commerce] Insurance Department if the
             1008      division has reason to believe that [an employee leasing company] a professional employer
             1009      organization is not in compliance with Subsection 34A-2-201 (1) or (2) and commission rules.


             1010          (4) A domestic employer who does not employ one employee or more than one
             1011      employee at least 40 hours per week is not considered an employer under this chapter and
             1012      Chapter 3, Utah Occupational Disease Act.
             1013          (5) (a) As used in this Subsection (5):
             1014          (i) (A) "agricultural employer" means a person who employs agricultural labor as
             1015      defined in Subsections 35A-4-206 (1) and (2) and does not include employment as provided in
             1016      Subsection 35A-4-206 (3); and
             1017          (B) notwithstanding Subsection (5)(a)(i)(A), only for purposes of determining who is a
             1018      member of the employer's immediate family under Subsection (5)(a)(ii), if the agricultural
             1019      employer is a corporation, partnership, or other business entity, "agricultural employer" means
             1020      an officer, director, or partner of the business entity;
             1021          (ii) "employer's immediate family" means:
             1022          (A) an agricultural employer's:
             1023          (I) spouse;
             1024          (II) grandparent;
             1025          (III) parent;
             1026          (IV) sibling;
             1027          (V) child;
             1028          (VI) grandchild;
             1029          (VII) nephew; or
             1030          (VIII) niece;
             1031          (B) a spouse of any person provided in Subsection (5)(a)(ii)(A)(II) through (VIII); or
             1032          (C) an individual who is similar to those listed in Subsections (5)(a)(ii)(A) or (B) as
             1033      defined by rules of the commission; and
             1034          (iii) "nonimmediate family" means a person who is not a member of the employer's
             1035      immediate family.
             1036          (b) For purposes of this chapter and Chapter 3, Utah Occupational Disease Act, an
             1037      agricultural employer is not considered an employer of a member of the employer's immediate


             1038      family.
             1039          (c) For purposes of this chapter and Chapter 3, Utah Occupational Disease Act, an
             1040      agricultural employer is not considered an employer of a nonimmediate family employee if:
             1041          (i) for the previous calendar year the agricultural employer's total annual payroll for all
             1042      nonimmediate family employees was less than $8,000; or
             1043          (ii) (A) for the previous calendar year the agricultural employer's total annual payroll for
             1044      all nonimmediate family employees was equal to or greater than $8,000 but less than $50,000;
             1045      and
             1046          (B) the agricultural employer maintains insurance that covers job-related injuries of the
             1047      employer's nonimmediate family employees in at least the following amounts:
             1048          (I) $300,000 liability insurance, as defined in Section 31A-1-301 ; and
             1049          (II) $5,000 for health care benefits similar to benefits under health care insurance as
             1050      defined in Section 31A-1-301 .
             1051          (d) For purposes of this chapter and Chapter 3, Utah Occupational Disease Act, an
             1052      agricultural employer is considered an employer of a nonimmediate family employee if:
             1053          (i) for the previous calendar year the agricultural employer's total annual payroll for all
             1054      nonimmediate family employees is equal to or greater than $50,000; or
             1055          (ii) (A) for the previous year the agricultural employer's total payroll for nonimmediate
             1056      family employees was equal to or exceeds $8,000 but is less than $50,000; and
             1057          (B) the agricultural employer fails to maintain the insurance required under Subsection
             1058      (5)(c)(ii)(B).
             1059          (6) An employer of agricultural laborers or domestic servants who is not considered an
             1060      employer under this chapter and Chapter 3, Utah Occupational Disease Act, may come under
             1061      this chapter and Chapter 3, Utah Occupational Disease Act, by complying with:
             1062          (a) this chapter and Chapter 3, Utah Occupational Disease Act; and
             1063          (b) the rules of the commission.
             1064          (7) (a) If any person who is an employer procures any work to be done wholly or in
             1065      part for the employer by a contractor over whose work the employer retains supervision or


             1066      control, and this work is a part or process in the trade or business of the employer, the
             1067      contractor, all persons employed by the contractor, all subcontractors under the contractor, and
             1068      all persons employed by any of these subcontractors, are considered employees of the original
             1069      employer for the purposes of this chapter and Chapter 3, Utah Occupational Disease Act.
             1070          (b) Any person who is engaged in constructing, improving, repairing, or remodelling a
             1071      residence that the person owns or is in the process of acquiring as the person's personal
             1072      residence may not be considered an employee or employer solely by operation of Subsection
             1073      (7)(a).
             1074          (c) A partner in a partnership or an owner of a sole proprietorship is not considered an
             1075      employee under Subsection (7)(a) if the employer who procures work to be done by the
             1076      partnership or sole proprietorship obtains and relies on either:
             1077          (i) a valid certification of the partnership's or sole proprietorship's compliance with
             1078      Section 34A-2-201 indicating that the partnership or sole proprietorship secured the payment of
             1079      workers' compensation benefits pursuant to Section 34A-2-201 ; or
             1080          (ii) if a partnership or sole proprietorship with no employees other than a partner of the
             1081      partnership or owner of the sole proprietorship, a workers' compensation policy issued by an
             1082      insurer pursuant to Subsection 31A-21-104 [(8)](9) stating that:
             1083          (A) the partnership or sole proprietorship is customarily engaged in an independently
             1084      established trade, occupation, profession, or business; and
             1085          (B) the partner or owner personally waives the partner's or owner's entitlement to the
             1086      benefits of this chapter and Chapter 3, Utah Occupational Disease Act, in the operation of the
             1087      partnership or sole proprietorship.
             1088          (d) A director or officer of a corporation is not considered an employee under
             1089      Subsection (7)(a) if the director or officer is excluded from coverage under Subsection
             1090      34A-2-104 (4).
             1091          (e) A contractor or subcontractor is not an employee of the employer under Subsection
             1092      (7)(a), if the employer who procures work to be done by the contractor or subcontractor
             1093      obtains and relies on either:


             1094          (i) a valid certification of the contractor's or subcontractor's compliance with Section
             1095      34A-2-201 ; or
             1096          (ii) if a partnership, corporation, or sole proprietorship with no employees other than a
             1097      partner of the partnership, officer of the corporation, or owner of the sole proprietorship, a
             1098      workers' compensation policy issued by an insurer pursuant to Subsection 31A-21-104 [(8)](9)
             1099      stating that:
             1100          (A) the partnership, corporation, or sole proprietorship is customarily engaged in an
             1101      independently established trade, occupation, profession, or business; and
             1102          (B) the partner, corporate officer, or owner personally waives the partner's, corporate
             1103      officer's, or owner's entitlement to the benefits of this chapter and Chapter 3, Utah Occupational
             1104      Disease Act, in the operation of the partnership's, corporation's, or sole proprietorship's
             1105      enterprise under a contract of hire for services.
             1106          (f) (i) For purposes of this Subsection (7)(f), "eligible employer" means a person who:
             1107          (A) is an employer; and
             1108          (B) procures work to be done wholly or in part for the employer by a contractor,
             1109      including:
             1110          (I) all persons employed by the contractor;
             1111          (II) all subcontractors under the contractor; and
             1112          (III) all persons employed by any of these subcontractors.
             1113          (ii) Notwithstanding the other provisions in this Subsection (7), if the conditions of
             1114      Subsection (7)(f)(iii) are met, an eligible employer is considered an employer for purposes of
             1115      Section 34A-2-105 of the contractor, subcontractor, and all persons employed by the contractor
             1116      or subcontractor described in Subsection (7)(f)(i)(B).
             1117          (iii) Subsection (7)(f)(ii) applies if the eligible employer:
             1118          (A) under Subsection (7)(a) is liable for and pays workers' compensation benefits as an
             1119      original employer under Subsection (7)(a) because the contractor or subcontractor fails to
             1120      comply with Section 34A-2-201 ;
             1121          (B) (I) secures the payment of workers' compensation benefits for the contractor or


             1122      subcontractor pursuant to Section 34A-2-201 ;
             1123          (II) procures work to be done that is part or process of the trade or business of the
             1124      eligible employer; and
             1125          (III) does the following with regard to a written workplace accident and injury
             1126      reduction program that meets the requirements of Subsection 34A-2-111 (3)(d):
             1127          (Aa) adopts the workplace accident and injury reduction program;
             1128          (Bb) posts the workplace accident and injury reduction program at the work site at
             1129      which the eligible employer procures work; and
             1130          (Cc) enforces the workplace accident and injury reduction program according to the
             1131      terms of the workplace accident and injury reduction program; or
             1132          (C) (I) obtains and relies on:
             1133          (Aa) a valid certification described in Subsection (7)(c)(i) or (7)(e)(i);
             1134          (Bb) a workers' compensation policy described in Subsection (7)(c)(ii) or (7)(e)(ii); or
             1135          (Cc) proof that a director or officer is excluded from coverage under Subsection
             1136      34A-2-104 (4);
             1137          (II) is liable under Subsection (7)(a) for the payment of workers' compensation benefits
             1138      if the contractor or subcontractor fails to comply with Section 34A-2-201 ;
             1139          (III) procures work to be done that is part or process in the trade or business of the
             1140      eligible employer; and
             1141          (IV) does the following with regard to a written workplace accident and injury
             1142      reduction program that meets the requirements of Subsection 34A-2-111 (3)(d):
             1143          (Aa) adopts the workplace accident and injury reduction program;
             1144          (Bb) posts the workplace accident and injury reduction program at the work site at
             1145      which the eligible employer procures work; and
             1146          (Cc) enforces the workplace accident and injury reduction program according to the
             1147      terms of the workplace accident and injury reduction program.
             1148          Section 25. Section 34A-2-105 is amended to read:
             1149           34A-2-105. Exclusive remedy against employer, and officer, agent, or employee of


             1150      employer.
             1151          (1) The right to recover compensation pursuant to this chapter for injuries sustained by
             1152      an employee, whether resulting in death or not, [shall be] is the exclusive remedy against the
             1153      employer and [shall be] is the exclusive remedy against any officer, agent, or employee of the
             1154      employer and the liabilities of the employer imposed by this chapter [shall be] is in place of any
             1155      and all other civil liability whatsoever, at common law or otherwise, to the employee or to the
             1156      employee's spouse, widow, children, parents, dependents, next of kin, heirs, personal
             1157      representatives, guardian, or any other person whomsoever, on account of any accident or
             1158      injury or death, in any way contracted, sustained, aggravated, or incurred by the employee in the
             1159      course of or because of or arising out of the employee's employment, and [no] an action at law
             1160      may not be maintained against an employer or against any officer, agent, or employee of the
             1161      employer based upon any accident, injury, or death of an employee. Nothing in this section[,
             1162      however, shall prevent] prevents an employee, or the employee's dependents, from filing a claim
             1163      for compensation in those cases in accordance with Chapter 3, Utah Occupational Disease Act.
             1164          (2) The exclusive remedy provisions of this section apply to both the client [company]
             1165      and the [employee leasing company in an employee leasing arrangement] professional employer
             1166      organization in a coemployment relationship regulated under Title [58] 31A, Chapter [59] 40,
             1167      Professional Employer Organization [Registration] Licensing Act.
             1168          (3) (a) For purposes of this section:
             1169          (i) "Temporary employee" means an individual who for temporary work assignment is:
             1170          (A) an employee of a temporary staffing company; or
             1171          (B) registered by or otherwise associated with a temporary staffing company.
             1172          (ii) "Temporary staffing company" means a company that engages in the assignment of
             1173      individuals as temporary full-time or part-time employees to fill assignments with a finite ending
             1174      date to another independent entity.
             1175          (b) If the temporary staffing company secures the payment of workers' compensation in
             1176      accordance with Section 34A-2-201 for all temporary employees of the temporary staffing
             1177      company, the exclusive remedy provisions of this section apply to both the temporary staffing


             1178      company and the client company and its employees and provide the temporary staffing company
             1179      the same protection that a client company and its employees has under this section for the acts
             1180      of any of the temporary staffing company's temporary employees on assignment at the client
             1181      company worksite.
             1182          Section 26. Section 35A-4-202 is amended to read:
             1183           35A-4-202. Employing units.
             1184          As used in this chapter:
             1185          (1) (a) "Employing unit" means:
             1186          (i) any individual or type of organization that has or subsequent to January 1, 1935, had
             1187      one or more individuals performing services for it within the state including any:
             1188          (A) partnership;
             1189          (B) association;
             1190          (C) trust;
             1191          (D) estate;
             1192          (E) joint stock company;
             1193          (F) insurance company;
             1194          (G) limited liability company;
             1195          (H) limited liability partnership;
             1196          (I) joint venture;
             1197          (J) corporation, whether domestic or foreign;
             1198          (K) the receiver, trustee in bankruptcy, trustee or successor of any entity listed in
             1199      Subsections (1)(a)(i)(A) through (J);
             1200          (L) the legal representative of a deceased person; or
             1201          (M) a tribal unit; or
             1202          (ii) any properly and legally registered professional employer organization[, commonly
             1203      known as an employee leasing company,] as defined by Section [ 58-59-102 ] 31A-40-102 .
             1204          (b) The department may adopt rules specific to a professional employer organization
             1205      pursuant to Title 63, Chapter 46a, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act.


             1206          (c) All individuals performing services within this state for any employing unit that
             1207      maintains two or more separate establishments within this state are considered to be performing
             1208      services for a single employing unit for all the purposes of this chapter.
             1209          (d) Each individual employed to perform or to assist in performing the work of any
             1210      person in the service of an employing unit is considered to be engaged by the employing unit for
             1211      all the purposes of this chapter whether the individual was hired or paid directly by the
             1212      employing unit or by the person, provided the employing unit had actual or constructive
             1213      knowledge of the work.
             1214          (2) "Hospital" means an institution that is licensed, certified, or approved by the
             1215      Department of Health as a hospital.
             1216          (3) "Institution of higher education," for the purposes of this section, means an
             1217      educational institution that:
             1218          (a) (i) admits, as regular students only, individuals having a certificate of graduation
             1219      from a high school or the recognized equivalent of a certificate;
             1220          (ii) is legally authorized in this state to provide a program of education beyond high
             1221      school;
             1222          (iii) provides:
             1223          (A) an educational program for which it awards a bachelor's or higher degree;
             1224          (B) a program that is acceptable for full credit toward a bachelor's or higher degree;
             1225          (C) a program of postgraduate or postdoctoral studies; or
             1226          (D) a program of training to prepare students for gainful employment in a recognized
             1227      occupation; and
             1228          (iv) is a public or other nonprofit institution.
             1229          (b) All colleges and universities in this state are institutions of higher education for
             1230      purposes of this section.
             1231          Section 27. Section 49-12-102 is amended to read:
             1232           49-12-102. Definitions.
             1233          As used in this chapter:


             1234          (1) (a) Except as provided in Subsection (1)(c), "compensation" means the total amount
             1235      of payments made by a participating employer to a member of this system for services rendered
             1236      to the participating employer, including:
             1237          (i) bonuses;
             1238          (ii) cost-of-living adjustments;
             1239          (iii) other payments currently includable in gross income and that are subject to Social
             1240      Security deductions, including any payments in excess of the maximum amount subject to
             1241      deduction under Social Security law;
             1242          (iv) amounts that the member authorizes to be deducted or reduced for salary deferral
             1243      or other benefits authorized by federal law; and
             1244          (v) member contributions.
             1245          (b) "Compensation" for purposes of this chapter may not exceed the amount allowed
             1246      under Internal Revenue Code, Section 401(a)(17).
             1247          (c) "Compensation" does not include:
             1248          (i) the monetary value of remuneration paid in kind, including a residence or use of
             1249      equipment;
             1250          (ii) the cost of any employment benefits paid for by the participating employer;
             1251          (iii) compensation paid to a temporary employee, an exempt employee, or an employee
             1252      otherwise ineligible for service credit;
             1253          (iv) any payments upon termination, including accumulated vacation, sick leave
             1254      payments, severance payments, compensatory time payments, or any other special payments; or
             1255          (v) any allowances or payments to a member for costs or expenses paid by the
             1256      participating employer, including automobile costs, uniform costs, travel costs, tuition costs,
             1257      housing costs, insurance costs, equipment costs, and dependent care costs.
             1258          (d) The executive director may determine if a payment not listed under this Subsection
             1259      (1) falls within the definition of compensation.
             1260          (2) "Final average salary" means the amount computed by averaging the highest five
             1261      years of annual compensation preceding retirement subject to Subsections (2)(a), (b), (c), and


             1262      (d).
             1263          (a) Except as provided in Subsection (2)(b), the percentage increase in annual
             1264      compensation in any one of the years used may not exceed the previous year's compensation by
             1265      more than 10% plus a cost-of-living adjustment equal to the decrease in the purchasing power
             1266      of the dollar during the previous year, as measured by a United States Bureau of Labor
             1267      Statistics Consumer Price Index average as determined by the board.
             1268          (b) In cases where the participating employer provides acceptable documentation to the
             1269      office, the limitation in Subsection (2)(a) may be exceeded if:
             1270          (i) the member has transferred from another agency; or
             1271          (ii) the member has been promoted to a new position.
             1272          (c) If the member retires more than six months from the date of termination of
             1273      employment, the member is considered to have been in service at the member's last rate of pay
             1274      from the date of the termination of employment to the effective date of retirement for purposes
             1275      of computing the member's final average salary only.
             1276          (d) If the member has less than five years of service credit in this system, final average
             1277      salary means the average annual compensation paid to the member during the full period of
             1278      service credit.
             1279          (3) "Participating employer" means an employer which meets the participation
             1280      requirements of Sections 49-12-201 and 49-12-202 .
             1281          (4) (a) "Regular full-time employee" means an employee whose term of employment for
             1282      a participating employer contemplates continued employment during a fiscal or calendar year
             1283      and whose employment normally requires an average of 20 hours or more per week, except as
             1284      modified by the board, and who receives benefits normally provided by the participating
             1285      employer.
             1286          (b) "Regular full-time employee" includes:
             1287          (i) a teacher whose term of employment for a participating employer contemplates
             1288      continued employment during a school year and who teaches half-time or more;
             1289          (ii) a classified school employee whose employment normally requires an average of 20


             1290      hours per week or more for a participating employer, regardless of benefits provided;
             1291          (iii) an officer, elective or appointive, who earns during the first full month of the term
             1292      of office $500 or more, indexed as of January 1, 1990, as provided in Section 49-12-407 ;
             1293          (iv) a faculty member or employee of an institution of higher education who is
             1294      considered full-time by that institution of higher education; and
             1295          (v) an individual who otherwise meets the definition of this Subsection (4) who
             1296      performs services for a participating employer through [an employee leasing] a professional
             1297      employer organization or similar arrangement.
             1298          (5) "System" means the Public Employees' Contributory Retirement System created
             1299      under this chapter.
             1300          (6) "Years of service credit" means:
             1301          (a) a period, consisting of 12 full months as determined by the board;
             1302          (b) a period determined by the board, whether consecutive or not, during which a
             1303      regular full-time employee performed services for a participating employer, including any time
             1304      the regular full-time employee was absent on a paid leave of absence granted by a participating
             1305      employer or was absent in the service of the United States government on military duty as
             1306      provided by this chapter; or
             1307          (c) the regular school year consisting of not less than eight months of full-time service
             1308      for a regular full-time employee of an educational institution.
             1309          Section 28. Section 49-13-102 is amended to read:
             1310           49-13-102. Definitions.
             1311          As used in this chapter:
             1312          (1) (a) Except as provided in Subsection (1)(c), "compensation" means the total amount
             1313      of payments made by a participating employer to a member of this system for services rendered
             1314      to the participating employer, including:
             1315          (i) bonuses;
             1316          (ii) cost-of-living adjustments;
             1317          (iii) other payments currently includable in gross income and that are subject to Social


             1318      Security deductions, including any payments in excess of the maximum amount subject to
             1319      deduction under Social Security law; and
             1320          (iv) amounts that the member authorizes to be deducted or reduced for salary deferral
             1321      or other benefits authorized by federal law.
             1322          (b) "Compensation" for purposes of this chapter may not exceed the amount allowed
             1323      under Internal Revenue Code, Section 401(a)(17).
             1324          (c) "Compensation" does not include:
             1325          (i) the monetary value of remuneration paid in kind, including a residence or use of
             1326      equipment;
             1327          (ii) the cost of any employment benefits paid for by the participating employer;
             1328          (iii) compensation paid to a temporary employee, an exempt employee, or an employee
             1329      otherwise ineligible for service credit;
             1330          (iv) any payments upon termination, including accumulated vacation, sick leave
             1331      payments, severance payments, compensatory time payments, or any other special payments; or
             1332          (v) any allowances or payments to a member for costs or expenses paid by the
             1333      participating employer, including automobile costs, uniform costs, travel costs, tuition costs,
             1334      housing costs, insurance costs, equipment costs, and dependent care costs.
             1335          (d) The executive director may determine if a payment not listed under this Subsection
             1336      (1) falls within the definition of compensation.
             1337          (2) "Final average salary" means the amount computed by averaging the highest three
             1338      years of annual compensation preceding retirement subject to the following:
             1339          (a) Except as provided in Subsection (2)(b), the percentage increase in annual
             1340      compensation in any one of the years used may not exceed the previous year's compensation by
             1341      more than 10% plus a cost-of-living adjustment equal to the decrease in the purchasing power
             1342      of the dollar during the previous year, as measured by a United States Bureau of Labor
             1343      Statistics Consumer Price Index average as determined by the board.
             1344          (b) In cases where the participating employer provides acceptable documentation to the
             1345      office, the limitation in Subsection (2)(a) may be exceeded if:


             1346          (i) the member has transferred from another agency; or
             1347          (ii) the member has been promoted to a new position.
             1348          (c) If the member retires more than six months from the date of termination of
             1349      employment and for purposes of computing the member's final average salary only, the member
             1350      is considered to have been in service at his last rate of pay from the date of the termination of
             1351      employment to the effective date of retirement.
             1352          (3) "Participating employer" means an employer which meets the participation
             1353      requirements of Sections 49-13-201 and 49-13-202 .
             1354          (4) (a) "Regular full-time employee" means an employee whose term of employment for
             1355      a participating employer contemplates continued employment during a fiscal or calendar year
             1356      and whose employment normally requires an average of 20 hours or more per week, except as
             1357      modified by the board, and who receives benefits normally provided by the participating
             1358      employer.
             1359          (b) "Regular full-time employee" includes:
             1360          (i) a teacher whose term of employment for a participating employer contemplates
             1361      continued employment during a school year and who teaches half-time or more;
             1362          (ii) a classified school employee whose employment normally requires an average of 20
             1363      hours per week or more for a participating employer, regardless of benefits provided;
             1364          (iii) an officer, elective or appointive, who earns during the first full month of the term
             1365      of office $500 or more, indexed as of January 1, 1990, as provided in Section 49-13-407 ;
             1366          (iv) a faculty member or employee of an institution of higher education who is
             1367      considered full-time by that institution of higher education; and
             1368          (v) an individual who otherwise meets the definition of this Subsection (4) who
             1369      performs services for a participating employer through [an employee leasing] a professional
             1370      employer organization or similar arrangement.
             1371          (5) "System" means the Public Employees' Noncontributory Retirement System.
             1372          (6) "Years of service credit" means:
             1373          (a) a period, consisting of 12 full months as determined by the board;


             1374          (b) a period determined by the board, whether consecutive or not, during which a
             1375      regular full-time employee performed services for a participating employer, including any time
             1376      the regular full-time employee was absent on a paid leave of absence granted by a participating
             1377      employer or was absent in the service of the United States government on military duty as
             1378      provided by this chapter; or
             1379          (c) the regular school year consisting of not less than eight months of full-time service
             1380      for a regular full-time employee of an educational institution.
             1381          Section 29. Repealer.
             1382          This bill repeals:
             1383          Section 58-59-101, Short title.
             1384          Section 58-59-102, Definitions.
             1385          Section 58-59-301, Registration required.
             1386          Section 58-59-302, Registration process.
             1387          Section 58-59-302.5, Assurance organization.
             1388          Section 58-59-303, Term of registration -- Expiration -- Renewal.
             1389          Section 58-59-303.5, Information to be filed by PEO.
             1390          Section 58-59-306, Financial requirements, contractual relations, and allocation of
             1391      rights, duties, and obligations -- Taxes and fees.
             1392          Section 58-59-306.5, Employment related economic incentives -- Employment
             1393      information -- Client's status.
             1394          Section 58-59-308, No guarantee.
             1395          Section 58-59-501, Unlawful conduct.
             1396          Section 58-59-503, Penalty for unlawful conduct.


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