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H.B. 159

             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
             100      of a covered employee under a professional employer agreement.
             101          (2) "Assurance organization" means a person designated as an assurance organization
             102      in 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
             119      with a client and a professional employer organization if the conditions of Section 31A-40-203
             120      are 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      Internal Revenue Code, Sections 414(b) and (c);
             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
             164      coemployment relationship under this chapter under which all or a majority of the employees
             165      who provide a 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
             171      actuary signing an opinion or annual statement as provided by the professional actuarial
             172      accreditation 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
             181      untrustworthiness 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
             211      the 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
             230      Management Act, and except as provided in Subsection (2), (3), or (4), the commissioner or
             231      department may not disclose information obtained from a professional employer organization
             232      under this chapter.
             233          (2) The commissioner or department may disclose information on an aggregate basis
             234      that does not identify an individual professional employer organization or client.
             235          (3) The commissioner or department may disclose information obtained from a
             236      professional employer organization under this chapter to a government entity if the government
             237      entity requires the information to perform the government entity's duties.
             238          (4) (a) The commissioner shall coordinate the commissioner's administration of this
             239      chapter and share information with:
             240          (i) the Department of Workforce Services;
             241          (ii) the Labor Commission; and
             242          (iii) the State Tax Commission.
             243          (b) An agency listed in Subsection (4)(a) shall treat the information obtained under this
             244      section as confidential unless disclosure of the information is required in accordance with:


             245          (i) this title; or
             246          (ii) Title 63, Chapter 2, Government Records Access and Management Act.
             247          Section 5. Section 31A-40-201 is enacted to read:
             248     
Part 2. Coemployment Relationship and Professional Employer Services

             249          31A-40-201. Enforceable rights and obligations.
             250          (1) In a coemployment relationship under a professional employer agreement:
             251          (a) a professional employer organization:
             252          (i) may only enforce a right of an employer that is specifically allocated to the
             253      professional employer organization under the professional employer agreement or this chapter;
             254      and
             255          (ii) is subject only to an obligation of an employer specifically allocated to the
             256      professional employer organization by the professional employer agreement or this chapter;
             257      and
             258          (b) a client:
             259          (i) may enforce a right of an employer:
             260          (A) allocated to the client in the professional employer agreement or this chapter; or
             261          (B) not specifically allocated to the professional employer organization under the
             262      professional employer agreement or this chapter; and
             263          (ii) is subject to an obligation of an employer:
             264          (A) allocated to the client by the professional employer agreement or this chapter; or
             265          (B) not specifically allocated to a professional employer organization by the
             266      professional employer agreement or this chapter.
             267          (2) A right or obligation of a professional employer organization as a coemployer of a
             268      covered employee is limited to a right or obligation arising pursuant to the professional
             269      employer agreement and this chapter during the term of coemployment of the covered
             270      employee by the professional employer organization.
             271          Section 6. Section 31A-40-202 is enacted to read:
             272          31A-40-202. Professional employer agreement -- Specific responsibilities.
             273          (1) Except as specifically provided in this chapter, a coemployment relationship
             274      between a client and a professional employer organization, and between each coemployer and a
             275      covered employee, is governed by a professional employer agreement.


             276          (2) (a) As used in this Subsection (2), unless a professional employer organization
             277      expressly agrees to assume liability for the payment in a professional employer agreement, the
             278      term "compensation to a covered employee" does not include an obligation between a client
             279      and a covered employee for a payment beyond or in addition to the covered employee's salary,
             280      draw, or regular rate of pay, such as:
             281          (i) a bonus;
             282          (ii) a commission;
             283          (iii) severance pay;
             284          (iv) deferred compensation;
             285          (v) profit sharing; or
             286          (vi) pay for vacation, sick, or other paid time off.
             287          (b) A professional employer agreement shall include the following:
             288          (i) the allocation of a right or obligation consistent with Section 31A-40-201 ;
             289          (ii) a requirement that the professional employer organization shall:
             290          (A) pay compensation to a covered employee; and
             291          (B) withhold, collect, report, and remit one or more of the following:
             292          (I) a payroll-related tax; and
             293          (II) an unemployment insurance contribution; and
             294          (C) to the extent that the professional employer organization assumes responsibility in
             295      the professional employer agreement, make payments for an employee benefit of a covered
             296      employee;
             297          (iii) that the professional employer organization has a right to hire, discipline, or
             298      terminate a covered employee to the extent necessary to fulfill the professional employer
             299      organization's obligations under the professional employer agreement and this chapter;
             300          (iv) that the client has a right to hire, discipline, and terminate a covered employee; and
             301          (v) the responsibility of the client or professional employer organization related to
             302      obtaining workers' compensation coverage for a covered employee in a manner consistent with
             303      Section 31A-40-209 .
             304          (3) A professional employer organization shall provide written notice to a covered
             305      employee of the general nature of the coemployment relationship between and among the
             306      professional employer organization, the client, and the covered employee.


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


             338          (ii) A covered employee is considered an employee of the professional employer
             339      organization for a purpose described in Subsection (4)(c)(i) if the covered employee is included
             340      by specific reference for that purpose in:
             341          (A) the professional employer agreement; and
             342          (B) a prearranged employment contract, insurance contract, or bond.
             343          Section 7. Section 31A-40-203 is enacted to read:
             344          31A-40-203. Covered employee.
             345          (1) (a) An individual is a covered employee of a professional employer organization if
             346      the individual is coemployed pursuant to a professional employer agreement subject to this
             347      chapter.
             348          (b) An individual who is a covered employee under a professional employer agreement
             349      is a covered employer, whether or not the professional employer organization provides the
             350      notice required by Subsection 31A-40-202 (3), the earlier of the day on which:
             351          (i) the employee is first compensated by the professional employer organization; or
             352          (ii) the client notifies the professional employer organization of a new hire.
             353          (2) An individual who is an officer, director, shareholder, partner, or manager of a
             354      client is a covered employee:
             355          (a) to the extent that the client and the professional employer organization expressly
             356      agree in the professional employer agreement that the individual is a covered employee;
             357          (b) if the conditions of Subsection (1) are met; and
             358          (c) if the individual acts as an operational manager or performs day-to-day an
             359      operational service for the client.
             360          Section 8. Section 31A-40-204 is enacted to read:
             361          31A-40-204. Rights and obligations unaffected -- Licensed, registered, or certified
             362      occupations or professions.
             363          (1) This chapter does not and a professional employer agreement may not affect,
             364      modify, or amend a:
             365          (a) collective bargaining agreement; or
             366          (b) right or obligation of a client, professional employer organization, or covered
             367      employee under:
             368          (i) the federal National Labor Relations Act, 29 U.S.C. Sec. 151 et seq.;


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


             400          (d) A client has the sole right to direct or control a professional, licensed, registered, or
             401      certified activity of:
             402          (i) a covered employee; and
             403          (ii) the client's business.
             404          (e) Notwithstanding this chapter, a covered employee and client remain subject to
             405      regulation by the local, state, or federal government responsible for licensing, registration, or
             406      certification of the covered employee or client.
             407          Section 9. Section 31A-40-205 is enacted to read:
             408          31A-40-205. Financial capability.
             409          (1) Except as provided in Subsection (2) or (4), as of the day a person applies for
             410      licensure or renewal of a license and at all times while licensed, a professional employer
             411      organization or collectively a professional employer organization group shall:
             412          (a) have at least $100,000 in working capital as determined by generally accepted
             413      accounting principles; or
             414          (b) provide to the commissioner one of the following in an amount equal to or greater
             415      than an amount calculated by subtracting the amount of working capital of the professional
             416      employer organization or professional employer organization group from $100,000:
             417          (i) a bond;
             418          (ii) an irrevocable letter of credit;
             419          (iii) one or more credits or securities as determined by the market value of the credits
             420      or securities; or
             421          (iv) a combination of Subsections (1)(b)(i) through (iii).
             422          (2) (a) Except as provided in Subsection (2)(c), the license of a professional employer
             423      organization or professional employer organization group terminates 180 days from the day on
             424      which the commissioner finds that the professional employer organization has less than
             425      $100,000 in working capital, unless the professional employer organization or professional
             426      employer organization group eliminates the deficiency within 180 days of the day on which the
             427      commissioner makes the finding.
             428          (b) During the 180-day period described in Subsection (2)(a), the professional
             429      employer organization or professional employer organization group shall submit quarterly to
             430      the commissioner:


             431          (i) a quarterly financial statement; and
             432          (ii) an attestation that:
             433          (A) is signed by:
             434          (I) the chief executive officer or a controlling person of the professional employer
             435      organization; or
             436          (II) for a professional employer organization group, the chief executive officer or chief
             437      financial officer of each member of the professional employer organization group; and
             438          (B) states that all of the following are paid for a covered employee when due by the
             439      professional employer organization or each member of the professional employer organization
             440      group:
             441          (I) compensation;
             442          (II) a benefit;
             443          (III) a payroll-related tax;
             444          (IV) an unemployment insurance contribution;
             445          (V) withholding of compensation for a covered employee;
             446          (VI) workers' compensation premium; or
             447          (VII) another assessment paid by a professional employer organization to or on behalf
             448      of a covered employee under a professional employer agreement.
             449          (c) The license of a professional employer organization or professional employer
             450      organization group terminates on the day on which the commissioner finds that the professional
             451      employer organization:
             452          (i) has negative working capital; and
             453          (ii) (A) is incapable of continued operations; or
             454          (B) poses an immediate threat to the public welfare.
             455          (3) A bond, letter of credit, or security described in Subsection (1) shall:
             456          (a) be held as designated by the commissioner; and
             457          (b) secure payment by the professional employer organization or the professional
             458      employer organization group of the following payments or other entitlements due to or with
             459      respect to a covered employee, if the professional employer organization or each member of the
             460      professional employer organization group does not make a payment when due:
             461          (i) compensation of a covered employee;


             462          (ii) a benefit for a covered employee;
             463          (iii) payroll-related taxes;
             464          (iv) unemployment insurance contributions; and
             465          (v) workers' compensation premiums.
             466          (4) A professional employer organization is exempt from this section if the
             467      professional employer organization is licensed:
             468          (a) through an assurance organization in accordance with Section 31A-40-303 ; or
             469          (b) under this chapter with a small operation license in accordance with Section
             470      31A-40-304 .
             471          Section 10. Section 31A-40-206 is enacted to read:
             472          31A-40-206. Professional employer service not insurance.
             473          (1) A professional employer organization licensed under this chapter is not considered
             474      engaged in the sale of insurance or as acting as a third party administrator when the
             475      professional employer organization engages in one or more of the following with respect to a
             476      professional employer service:
             477          (a) offering;
             478          (b) marketing;
             479          (c) selling;
             480          (d) administering; or
             481          (e) providing.
             482          (2) Subsection (1) applies to a professional employer service that includes an employee
             483      benefit plan for a covered employee.
             484          Section 11. Section 31A-40-207 is enacted to read:
             485          31A-40-207. Taxation.
             486          (1) (a) A covered employee whose service is subject to a sales or use tax under Title
             487      59, Chapter 12, Sales and Use Tax Act, is considered the employee of the client for purposes of
             488      imposing and collecting the sales or use tax on the service performed by the covered employee.
             489          (b) This chapter may not be interpreted to relieve a client of a sales or use tax liability
             490      with respect to a good or service of the client.
             491          (2) (a) If the amount of a tax or fee described in Subsection (2)(b) is determined on the
             492      basis of the gross receipts of a professional employer organization, only an administrative fee


             493      collected by the professional employer organization is considered gross receipts.
             494          (b) This Subsection (2) applies to:
             495          (i) a tax on a professional employer service;
             496          (ii) a business license fee; or
             497          (iii) another fee or charge.
             498          (3) A taxing entity shall assess a tax assessed on a per capita or per employee basis:
             499          (a) on a client for a covered employee; and
             500          (b) on the professional employer organization for an employee of the professional
             501      employer organization who is not a covered employee coemployed with a client.
             502          (4) If a tax is imposed or calculated on the basis of total payroll, the professional
             503      employer organization is eligible to apply a small business allowance or exemption available to
             504      the client for a covered employee for the purpose of computing the tax.
             505          Section 12. Section 31A-40-208 is enacted to read:
             506          31A-40-208. Benefit plan.
             507          (1) A client and a professional employer organization licensed under this chapter shall
             508      each be considered an employer for purposes of sponsoring a retirement or welfare benefit plan
             509      for a covered employee.
             510          (2) A fully insured welfare benefit plan offered to a covered employee of a single
             511      professional employer organization licensed under this chapter:
             512          (a) is to be treated as a single employer welfare benefit plan for purposes of this title
             513      and rules made under this title;
             514          (b) may not be considered an employer welfare fund or plan, as described in Section
             515      31A-13-101 ; and
             516          (c) the single professional employer organization that sponsors the fully insured
             517      welfare plan is exempt from the registration requirements under this title for:
             518          (i) an insurance provider; or
             519          (ii) an employer welfare fund or plan.
             520          (3) For purposes of Chapter 30, Individual, Small Employer, and Group Health
             521      Insurance Act:
             522          (a) a professional employer organization licensed under this chapter is considered the
             523      employer of a covered employee; and


             524          (b) all covered employees of one or more clients participating in a health benefit plan
             525      sponsored by a single professional employer organization licensed under this chapter are
             526      considered employees of that professional employer organization.
             527          (4) A professional employer organization licensed under this chapter may offer to a
             528      covered employee a health benefit plan that is not fully insured by an authorized insurer, only
             529      if:
             530          (a) the professional employer organization has operated as a professional employer
             531      organization for at least one year before the day on which the professional employer
             532      organization offers the health benefit plan; and
             533          (b) the health benefit plan:
             534          (i) is administered by a third-party administrator licensed to do business in this state;
             535          (ii) holds all assets of the health benefit plan, including participant contributions, in a
             536      trust account;
             537          (iii) has and maintains reserves that are sound for the health benefit plan as determined
             538      by an actuary who:
             539          (A) uses generally accepted actuarial standards of practice; and
             540          (B) is an independent qualified actuary, including not being an employee or covered
             541      employee of the professional employer organization;
             542          (iv) provides written notice to a covered employee participating in the health benefit
             543      plan that the health benefit plan is self-insured or is not fully insured; and
             544          (v) consents to an audit:
             545          (A) on a random basis; or
             546          (B) upon a finding of a reasonable need by the commissioner.
             547          (5) The cost of an audit described in Subsection (4)(b)(v) shall be paid by the
             548      sponsoring professional employer organization.
             549          (6) A plan of a professional employer organization described in Subsection (4) that is
             550      not fully insured:
             551          (a) is subject to the requirements of this section; and
             552          (b) is not subject to another licensure or approval requirement of this title.
             553          Section 13. Section 31A-40-209 is enacted to read:
             554          31A-40-209. Workers' compensation.


             555          (1) In accordance with Section 34A-2-103 , a client is responsible for securing workers'
             556      compensation coverage for a covered employee.
             557          (2) Subject to the requirements of Section 34A-2-103 , if a professional employer
             558      organization obtains or assists a client in obtaining workers' compensation insurance pursuant
             559      to a professional employer agreement:
             560          (a) the professional employer organization shall ensure that the client maintains and
             561      provides workers' compensation coverage for a covered employee in accordance with
             562      Subsection 34A-2-201 (1) or (2) and rules of the Labor Commission, made in accordance with
             563      Title 63, Chapter 46a, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act;
             564          (b) the workers' compensation coverage may show the professional employer
             565      organization as the named insured through a multiple coordinated policy, if:
             566          (i) the client is shown as an insured by means of an endorsement for each individual
             567      client;
             568          (ii) the experience modification of a client is used; and
             569          (iii) the insurer files the endorsement with the Division of Industrial Accidents as
             570      directed by a rule of the Labor Commission, made in accordance with Title 63, Chapter 46a,
             571      Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act;
             572          (c) at the termination of the professional employer agreement, if requested by the
             573      client, the insurer shall provide the client records regarding the loss experience related to
             574      workers' compensation insurance provided to a covered employee pursuant to the professional
             575      employer agreement; and
             576          (d) the insurer shall notify a client if the workers' compensation coverage for the client
             577      is terminated.
             578          (3) In accordance with Section 34A-2-105 , the exclusive remedy provisions of Section
             579      34A-2-105 apply to both the client and the professional employer organization under a
             580      professional employer agreement regulated under this chapter.
             581          (4) Notwithstanding the other provisions in this section, an insurer may choose whether
             582      to issue:
             583          (a) a policy for a client; or
             584          (b) a multiple coordinated policy with the client shown as an additional insured by
             585      means of an individual endorsement.


             586          Section 14. Section 31A-40-210 is enacted to read:
             587          31A-40-210. Unemployment compensation insurance.
             588          (1) For purposes of Title 35A, Chapter 4, Employment Security Act, a covered
             589      employee of a professional employer organization licensed under this chapter is considered the
             590      employee of the professional employer organization.
             591          (2) The professional employer organization described in Subsection (1) shall pay a
             592      contribution, penalty, or interest required under Title 35A, Chapter 4, Employment Security
             593      Act, on wages, as defined in Section 35A-4-208 , paid by the professional employer
             594      organization to the covered employee during the term of the professional employer agreement.
             595          (3) A professional employer organization shall report and pay a required contribution
             596      to the unemployment compensation fund when due using the state employer account number
             597      and the contribution rate of the professional employer organization.
             598          (4) Unless a client is otherwise eligible for an experience rating, the Unemployment
             599      Insurance Division of the Department of Workforce Services shall treat a client as a new
             600      employer without a previous experience record beginning on the day on which:
             601          (a) a professional employer agreement between the client and a professional employer
             602      organization terminates; or
             603          (b) the professional employer organization fails to submit a report or make a tax
             604      payment when due as required by this chapter.
             605          Section 15. Section 31A-40-211 is enacted to read:
             606          31A-40-211. Employment related economic incentives -- Employment information
             607      -- Client's status.
             608          (1) Notwithstanding the other provisions of this chapter, for purposes of determining
             609      eligibility for an employment related economic incentive, a covered employee is considered
             610      only an employee of the client.
             611          (2) (a) If eligibility for an employment related economic incentive relates to a covered
             612      employee, the client is entitled to the employment related economic incentive if the client is
             613      otherwise eligible for the employment related economic incentive.
             614          (b) A professional employer organization is not eligible for an employment related
             615      economic incentive described in Subsection (2)(a).
             616          (3) If eligibility for or the amount of an employment related economic incentive is


             617      determined on the basis of the number of employees, a client is treated as employing only:
             618          (a) a covered employee coemployed by the client under the professional employer
             619      agreement; or
             620          (b) an employee solely employed by the client.
             621          (4) Subject to a confidentiality provision in federal or state law, a professional
             622      employer organization shall provide employment information:
             623          (a) upon the request of:
             624          (i) the client; or
             625          (ii) the governmental entity administering an employment related economic incentive;
             626      and
             627          (b) reasonably required for:
             628          (i) administration of an employment related economic incentive; or
             629          (ii) necessary to support any of the following by a client seeking an employment related
             630      economic incentive:
             631          (A) a request;
             632          (B) a claim;
             633          (C) an application; or
             634          (D) another action.
             635          (5) With respect to a bid, contract, purchase order, or agreement entered into with the
             636      state or a political subdivision of the state, the fact that the client enters into a professional
             637      employer agreement does not affect the client's status or certification as a:
             638          (a) small business;
             639          (b) minority-owned business;
             640          (c) disadvantaged business;
             641          (d) woman-owned business; or
             642          (e) historically underutilized business.
             643          Section 16. Section 31A-40-301 is enacted to read:
             644     
Part 3. Licensing Requirements

             645          31A-40-301. Licensing required.
             646          (1) Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, a person may not engage in the
             647      following before the day on which the person is licensed under this chapter:


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


             679          (e) the following information by jurisdiction of each name under which the
             680      professional employer organization operated in the five years preceding the day on which the
             681      person files the application:
             682          (i) the name;
             683          (ii) an alternative name, if any;
             684          (iii) a name of a predecessor; and
             685          (iv) if known, a successor business entity;
             686          (f) a statement of ownership that includes the name and evidence of the business
             687      experience of a person that, individually or acting in concert with one or more other persons,
             688      owns or controls, directly or indirectly, 10% or more of the equity interests of the professional
             689      employer organization;
             690          (g) a statement of management that includes the name and evidence of the business
             691      experience of a person who:
             692          (i) serves as president of the professional employer organization;
             693          (ii) serves as chief executive officer of the professional employer organization; or
             694          (iii) may act as a senior executive officer of the professional employer organization;
             695      and
             696          (h) a financial statement that:
             697          (i) sets forth the financial condition of:
             698          (A) the professional employer organization; or
             699          (B) a professional employer organization group in which the professional employer
             700      organization is a member;
             701          (ii) states whether or not the professional employer organization complies with Section
             702      31A-40-205 ; and
             703          (iii) complies with Section 31A-40-305 .
             704          (3) A professional employer organization that is registered by the Division of
             705      Occupations and Professional Licensing as of May 4, 2008 shall comply with this section by no
             706      later than November 5, 2008. An initial license obtained under this Subsection (3) is valid
             707      until the end of the professional employer organization's first full fiscal year that immediately
             708      follows the day on which the initial license application is filed.
             709          (4) Within 180 days after the day on which a professional employer organization's


             710      fiscal year ends, a professional employer organization shall renew its license by complying
             711      with Subsection (1).
             712          Section 18. Section 31A-40-303 is enacted to read:
             713          31A-40-303. Licensed through an assurance organization.
             714          (1) (a) A person may comply with Section 31A-40-302 by:
             715          (i) filing with the commissioner:
             716          (A) a certification that an assurance organization certifies the qualifications of the
             717      professional employer organization;
             718          (B) the information required by Subsections 31A-40-302 (2)(a) through (d) and
             719      31A-40-302 (2)(h); and
             720          (C) any changes to the information required by Subsection (1)(a)(i)(B) within 30 days
             721      of the day on which the information changes; and
             722          (ii) paying a license fee determined in accordance with Section 31A-3-103 .
             723          (b) A professional employer organization that meets the requirements of Section
             724      31A-40-302 by complying with this section is not required to:
             725          (i) renew its license until the day on which the assurance organization no longer
             726      certifies the qualifications of the professional employer organization;
             727          (ii) provide the information in Subsections 31A-40-302 (2)(e) through (g); or
             728          (iii) comply with Section 31A-40-205 .
             729          (c) If a professional employer organization that meets the requirements of Section
             730      31A-40-302 by complying with this section receives a new or renewed certification by the
             731      assurance organization, the professional employer organization shall file with the
             732      commissioner a new certification within 30 days from the day on which the professional
             733      employer organization receives the new or renewed certification from the assurance
             734      organization.
             735          (d) (i) If a professional employer organization authorizes an assurance organization to
             736      act on behalf of the professional employer organization for purposes of licensure under this
             737      section, the commissioner shall accept the assurance organization's filing of the information
             738      required by Subsection (1)(a) or (1)(c) if the information otherwise complies with this section
             739      and commission rules.
             740          (ii) Notwithstanding Subsection (1)(d)(i), if the assurance organization fails to make a


             741      required filing under this section, the commissioner may not accept, not renew, or terminate the
             742      professional employer organization's license.
             743          (2) The commissioner shall designate one or more assurance organizations by rule:
             744          (a) consistent with this section;
             745          (b) made in accordance with Title 63, Chapter 46a, Utah Administrative Rulemaking
             746      Act; and
             747          (c) that requires that an assurance organization designated by the commissioner be
             748      licensed by one or more states other than Utah to certify the qualifications of a professional
             749      employer organization.
             750          (3) The qualifications certified by an assurance organization designated by the
             751      commissioner shall include at a minimum that a professional employer organization:
             752          (a) ensure that each controlling person of the professional employer organization:
             753          (i) be competent to manage a professional employer organization;
             754          (ii) be responsible in the controlling person's finances; and
             755          (iii) not have a history of or be engaged in unlawful activities;
             756          (b) has a history that is verifiable that the professional employer organization:
             757          (i) complies with regulatory requirements; and
             758          (ii) engages in financially responsible conduct;
             759          (c) has or is able to obtain audited financial statements;
             760          (d) has an adjusted net worth equal to or in excess of the greater of:
             761          (i) $100,000; or
             762          (ii) 5% of total adjusted liabilities;
             763          (e) has liquid assets that are sufficient to pay short-term liabilities as demonstrated by a
             764      ratio determined by dividing current assets by current liabilities or a similar formula;
             765          (f) has on its books adequate financial reserves for all local, state, and federal
             766      self-insurance and any insurance policy or plan in which the final cost of coverage is affected
             767      by claim losses;
             768          (g) operates in conformity with all applicable laws and regulations including those laws
             769      and regulations in addition to this chapter;
             770          (h) does not engage in deceptive trade practices or misrepresentations of an employer's
             771      obligation or liability;


             772          (i) has a written professional employer agreement with each client;
             773          (j) has or is willing to obtain a written acknowledgment, as part of an existing form or
             774      separately, from each covered employee stating that the covered employee understands and
             775      accepts the nature, terms, and conditions of the coemployment relationship;
             776          (k) establishes and maintains a coemployment relationship by assuming key employer
             777      attributes with respect to covered employees as demonstrated by the professional employer
             778      agreement and employment forms, policies, and procedures;
             779          (l) provides all covered employees with a written copy of the professional employer
             780      organization's employment policies and procedures;
             781          (m) ensures that all covered employees are covered in a regulatory compliant manner
             782      by workers' compensation insurance;
             783          (n) does not knowingly use the coemployment relationship to assist a client to evade or
             784      avoid the client's obligations under:
             785          (i) the National Labor Relations Act, 29 U.S.C. Sec. 151 et seq.;
             786          (ii) the federal Railway Labor Act, 45 U.S.C. Sec. 151 et seq.; or
             787          (iii) any collective bargaining agreement;
             788          (o) except through a licensed insurance agent, does not:
             789          (i) represent or imply that it can sell insurance;
             790          (ii) attempt to sell insurance; or
             791          (iii) sell insurance;
             792          (p) markets and provides, or is willing to market and provide professional employer
             793      service under a separate and distinct trade name from any affiliated professional employer
             794      organization that is not certified by the assurance organization;
             795          (q) does not allow any person not certified by the assurance organization to use the
             796      professional employer organization's trade name in the sale or delivery of the professional
             797      employer organization's professional employer service;
             798          (r) does not guarantee, participate in, transfer between, or otherwise share liabilities
             799      with any other professional employer organization that is not certified by the assurance
             800      organization:
             801          (i) in the employment of covered employees; or
             802          (ii) in any employee benefit or insurance policy or plan that is not fully insured and


             803      fully funded; and
             804          (s) has the ability to provide a regulatory agency or insurance carrier upon request with:
             805          (i) a client's name, address, and federal tax identification number;
             806          (ii) payroll data by:
             807          (A) client;
             808          (B) (I) client SIC Code of the 1987 Standard Industrial Classification Manual of the
             809      federal Executive Office of the President, Office of Management and Budget; or
             810          (II) client classification under the 2002 North American Industry Classification System
             811      of the federal Executive Office of the President, Office of Management and Budget; and
             812          (C) workers' compensation classification;
             813          (iii) the names of covered employees by:
             814          (A) the worksite of a client; and
             815          (B) workers' compensation classification; and
             816          (iv) workers' compensation certificates of insurance.
             817          (4) This section does not modify the commissioner's authority or responsibility to
             818      accept, renew, or terminate a license.
             819          Section 19. Section 31A-40-304 is enacted to read:
             820          31A-40-304. Small operation license.
             821          (1) A professional employer organization may obtain a small operation license under
             822      this chapter if the professional employer organization:
             823          (a) files an application for a small operation license with the commissioner:
             824          (i) on a form and in a manner the commissioner shall determine by rule made in
             825      accordance with Title 63, Chapter 46a, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act; and
             826          (ii) that includes the information and documentation the commissioner determines is
             827      necessary to show that the professional employer organization qualifies for a small operation
             828      license;
             829          (b) pays a small operation license fee determined in accordance with Section
             830      31A-3-103 , that is not refunded if the application:
             831          (i) is denied; or
             832          (ii) if incomplete, is never completed by the person filing the application;
             833          (c) is domiciled outside of this state;


             834          (d) is licensed or registered as a professional employer organization in another state;
             835          (e) does not maintain an office in this state or directly solicit a client that:
             836          (i) is domiciled in this state; or
             837          (ii) maintains a location within this state;
             838          (f) does not have at any time more than 50 covered employees employed or domiciled
             839      in this state; and
             840          (g) is not owned or directed by another professional employer organization operating in
             841      the state.
             842          (2) (a) A small operation license is valid for one year.
             843          (b) A professional employer organization may annually renew a small operation
             844      license.
             845          (3) A professional employer organization with a small operation license under this
             846      chapter is not subject to Section 31A-40-205 .
             847          Section 20. Section 31A-40-305 is enacted to read:
             848          31A-40-305. Financial statements required for licensing.
             849          (1) (a) A person that files a financial statement with an application for an initial license
             850      under Section 31A-40-302 shall file the professional employer organization's most recent audit
             851      as of the day the application is filed, except that the financial statement may not be older than
             852      ten months from the day on which the application is filed.
             853          (b) A person that files a financial statement to renew a license shall file the most recent
             854      financial statement of the professional employer organization as of the day the application for
             855      renewal is filed with the commission.
             856          (c) (i) The person filing an application may apply for an extension with the
             857      commissioner if the request for an extension is accompanied by a letter from the person
             858      conducting the audit for the financial statement stating:
             859          (A) the reason for the delay; and
             860          (B) the anticipated date on which the audit will be completed.
             861          (ii) If a person complies with Subsection (1)(c)(i), the commissioner may grant an
             862      extension up to 30 days from the day on which the financial statement is due under this section.
             863          (d) A professional employer organization may file a combined or consolidated
             864      financial statement if:


             865          (i) the professional employer organization is owned by or in common control with
             866      another person; and
             867          (ii) the combined or consolidated financial statement clearly identifies the following of
             868      the professional employer organization:
             869          (A) its working capital;
             870          (B) its assets; and
             871          (C) its liabilities.
             872          (2) A financial statement required by this chapter shall be:
             873          (a) prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
             874          (b) audited by an independent certified public accountant licensed to practice in the
             875      jurisdiction in which the person conducting the audit is located; and
             876          (c) without qualification as to the going concern status of the professional employer
             877      organization.
             878          (3) Notwithstanding the other provisions of this section, the commissioner shall license
             879      a professional employer organization that does not have sufficient operating history to have an
             880      audited financial statement on the basis of at least 12 months if:
             881          (a) the professional employer organization complies with the other requirements for
             882      licensure, including Section 31A-40-205 ; and
             883          (b) the person filing the application for license files a financial statement that is
             884      reviewed by a certified public accountant.
             885          Section 21. Section 31A-40-306 is enacted to read:
             886          31A-40-306. Professional employer organization group.
             887          (1) Subject to Subsection (2), a professional employer organization that is a member of
             888      a professional employer organization group may comply with Section 31A-40-205 or Sections
             889      31A-40-302 through 31A-40-305 on a combined or consolidated basis if each member of the
             890      professional employer organization group guarantees the obligations under this chapter of each
             891      other member of the professional employer organization group.
             892          (2) The controlling entity of a professional employer organization group shall
             893      guarantee the obligations of a professional employer organization under this chapter if the
             894      professional employer organization group files a combined or consolidated audited financial
             895      statement that includes a person that is not:


             896          (a) a professional employer organization; or
             897          (b) a member of the professional employer organization group.
             898          Section 22. Section 31A-40-401 is enacted to read:
             899     
Part 4. Enforcement

             900          31A-40-401. Prohibited acts.
             901          (1) A person may not:
             902          (a) offer or provide a professional employer service if the person is not licensed under
             903      this chapter;
             904          (b) use one of the following names if the person is not licensed under this chapter:
             905          (i) "administrative employer";
             906          (ii) "employee leasing";
             907          (iii) "PEO";
             908          (iv) "professional employer organization";
             909          (v) "staff leasing"; or
             910          (vi) other name that represents the provision of a professional employer service;
             911          (c) knowingly provide false or fraudulent information to the commissioner:
             912          (i) in conjunction with an application to be licensed or to renew a license under this
             913      chapter; or
             914          (ii) in a report required under this chapter;
             915          (d) knowingly make a material misrepresentation to the commissioner or other
             916      governmental agency;
             917          (e) fail to make a filing with a state agency that is required by this chapter or the
             918      professional employer agreement within 30 days of the day on which the filing is due;
             919          (f) fail to make a payment to a state agency that is required by this chapter or the
             920      professional employer agreement within 30 days of the day on which the payment is due;
             921          (g) (i) offer a covered employee a self-funded medical plan unless the self-funded
             922      medical plan is maintained for the sole benefit of covered employees;
             923          (ii) misrepresent that a self-funded medical plan it offers is other than self-funded; or
             924          (iii) offer to a covered employee a self-funded or partially self-funded medical plan
             925      without delivering to a plan participant a summary plan description that accurately describes
             926      the terms of the plan, including disclosure that the plan is self-funded or partially self-funded;


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


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


             989      implied, oral or written, is considered an employer under this chapter and Chapter 3, Utah
             990      Occupational Disease Act.
             991          (b) As used in this Subsection (2):
             992          (i) "Independent contractor" means any person engaged in the performance of any work
             993      for another who, while so engaged, is:
             994          (A) independent of the employer in all that pertains to the execution of the work;
             995          (B) not subject to the routine rule or control of the employer;
             996          (C) engaged only in the performance of a definite job or piece of work; and
             997          (D) subordinate to the employer only in effecting a result in accordance with the
             998      employer's design.
             999          (ii) "Regularly" includes all employments in the usual course of the trade, business,
             1000      profession, or occupation of the employer, whether continuous throughout the year or for only a
             1001      portion of the year.
             1002          (3) (a) The client [company in an employee leasing arrangement] under a professional
             1003      employer organization agreement regulated under Title [58, Chapter 59] 31A, Chapter 40,
             1004      Professional Employer Organization [Registration] Licensing Act[,]:
             1005          (i) is considered the employer of [leased employees] a covered employee; and
             1006          (ii) subject to Section 31A-40-209 , shall secure workers' compensation benefits for
             1007      [them] a covered employee by complying with Subsection 34A-2-201 (1) or (2) and
             1008      commission rules.
             1009          [(b) An insurance carrier may underwrite workers' compensation secured in accordance
             1010      with Subsection (3)(a) showing the leasing company as the named insured and each client
             1011      company as an additional insured by means of individual endorsements.]
             1012          [(c) Endorsements shall be filed with the division as directed by commission rule.]
             1013          [(d)] (b) The division shall promptly inform the [Division of Occupation and
             1014      Professional Licensing within the Department of Commerce] Insurance Department if the
             1015      division has reason to believe that [an employee leasing company] a professional employer
             1016      organization is not in compliance with Subsection 34A-2-201 (1) or (2) and commission rules.
             1017          (4) A domestic employer who does not employ one employee or more than one
             1018      employee at least 40 hours per week is not considered an employer under this chapter and
             1019      Chapter 3, Utah Occupational Disease Act.


             1020          (5) (a) As used in this Subsection (5):
             1021          (i) (A) "agricultural employer" means a person who employs agricultural labor as
             1022      defined in Subsections 35A-4-206 (1) and (2) and does not include employment as provided in
             1023      Subsection 35A-4-206 (3); and
             1024          (B) notwithstanding Subsection (5)(a)(i)(A), only for purposes of determining who is a
             1025      member of the employer's immediate family under Subsection (5)(a)(ii), if the agricultural
             1026      employer is a corporation, partnership, or other business entity, "agricultural employer" means
             1027      an officer, director, or partner of the business entity;
             1028          (ii) "employer's immediate family" means:
             1029          (A) an agricultural employer's:
             1030          (I) spouse;
             1031          (II) grandparent;
             1032          (III) parent;
             1033          (IV) sibling;
             1034          (V) child;
             1035          (VI) grandchild;
             1036          (VII) nephew; or
             1037          (VIII) niece;
             1038          (B) a spouse of any person provided in Subsection (5)(a)(ii)(A)(II) through (VIII); or
             1039          (C) an individual who is similar to those listed in Subsections (5)(a)(ii)(A) or (B) as
             1040      defined by rules of the commission; and
             1041          (iii) "nonimmediate family" means a person who is not a member of the employer's
             1042      immediate family.
             1043          (b) For purposes of this chapter and Chapter 3, Utah Occupational Disease Act, an
             1044      agricultural employer is not considered an employer of a member of the employer's immediate
             1045      family.
             1046          (c) For purposes of this chapter and Chapter 3, Utah Occupational Disease Act, an
             1047      agricultural employer is not considered an employer of a nonimmediate family employee if:
             1048          (i) for the previous calendar year the agricultural employer's total annual payroll for all
             1049      nonimmediate family employees was less than $8,000; or
             1050          (ii) (A) for the previous calendar year the agricultural employer's total annual payroll


             1051      for all nonimmediate family employees was equal to or greater than $8,000 but less than
             1052      $50,000; and
             1053          (B) the agricultural employer maintains insurance that covers job-related injuries of the
             1054      employer's nonimmediate family employees in at least the following amounts:
             1055          (I) $300,000 liability insurance, as defined in Section 31A-1-301 ; and
             1056          (II) $5,000 for health care benefits similar to benefits under health care insurance as
             1057      defined in Section 31A-1-301 .
             1058          (d) For purposes of this chapter and Chapter 3, Utah Occupational Disease Act, an
             1059      agricultural employer is considered an employer of a nonimmediate family employee if:
             1060          (i) for the previous calendar year the agricultural employer's total annual payroll for all
             1061      nonimmediate family employees is equal to or greater than $50,000; or
             1062          (ii) (A) for the previous year the agricultural employer's total payroll for nonimmediate
             1063      family employees was equal to or exceeds $8,000 but is less than $50,000; and
             1064          (B) the agricultural employer fails to maintain the insurance required under Subsection
             1065      (5)(c)(ii)(B).
             1066          (6) An employer of agricultural laborers or domestic servants who is not considered an
             1067      employer under this chapter and Chapter 3, Utah Occupational Disease Act, may come under
             1068      this chapter and Chapter 3, Utah Occupational Disease Act, by complying with:
             1069          (a) this chapter and Chapter 3, Utah Occupational Disease Act; and
             1070          (b) the rules of the commission.
             1071          (7) (a) If any person who is an employer procures any work to be done wholly or in
             1072      part for the employer by a contractor over whose work the employer retains supervision or
             1073      control, and this work is a part or process in the trade or business of the employer, the
             1074      contractor, all persons employed by the contractor, all subcontractors under the contractor, and
             1075      all persons employed by any of these subcontractors, are considered employees of the original
             1076      employer for the purposes of this chapter and Chapter 3, Utah Occupational Disease Act.
             1077          (b) Any person who is engaged in constructing, improving, repairing, or remodelling a
             1078      residence that the person owns or is in the process of acquiring as the person's personal
             1079      residence may not be considered an employee or employer solely by operation of Subsection
             1080      (7)(a).
             1081          (c) A partner in a partnership or an owner of a sole proprietorship is not considered an


             1082      employee under Subsection (7)(a) if the employer who procures work to be done by the
             1083      partnership or sole proprietorship obtains and relies on either:
             1084          (i) a valid certification of the partnership's or sole proprietorship's compliance with
             1085      Section 34A-2-201 indicating that the partnership or sole proprietorship secured the payment of
             1086      workers' compensation benefits pursuant to Section 34A-2-201 ; or
             1087          (ii) if a partnership or sole proprietorship with no employees other than a partner of the
             1088      partnership or owner of the sole proprietorship, a workers' compensation policy issued by an
             1089      insurer pursuant to Subsection 31A-21-104 [(8)](9) stating that:
             1090          (A) the partnership or sole proprietorship is customarily engaged in an independently
             1091      established trade, occupation, profession, or business; and
             1092          (B) the partner or owner personally waives the partner's or owner's entitlement to the
             1093      benefits of this chapter and Chapter 3, Utah Occupational Disease Act, in the operation of the
             1094      partnership or sole proprietorship.
             1095          (d) A director or officer of a corporation is not considered an employee under
             1096      Subsection (7)(a) if the director or officer is excluded from coverage under Subsection
             1097      34A-2-104 (4).
             1098          (e) A contractor or subcontractor is not an employee of the employer under Subsection
             1099      (7)(a), if the employer who procures work to be done by the contractor or subcontractor obtains
             1100      and relies on either:
             1101          (i) a valid certification of the contractor's or subcontractor's compliance with Section
             1102      34A-2-201 ; or
             1103          (ii) if a partnership, corporation, or sole proprietorship with no employees other than a
             1104      partner of the partnership, officer of the corporation, or owner of the sole proprietorship, a
             1105      workers' compensation policy issued by an insurer pursuant to Subsection 31A-21-104 [(8)](9)
             1106      stating that:
             1107          (A) the partnership, corporation, or sole proprietorship is customarily engaged in an
             1108      independently established trade, occupation, profession, or business; and
             1109          (B) the partner, corporate officer, or owner personally waives the partner's, corporate
             1110      officer's, or owner's entitlement to the benefits of this chapter and Chapter 3, Utah
             1111      Occupational Disease Act, in the operation of the partnership's, corporation's, or sole
             1112      proprietorship's enterprise under a contract of hire for services.


             1113          (f) (i) For purposes of this Subsection (7)(f), "eligible employer" means a person who:
             1114          (A) is an employer; and
             1115          (B) procures work to be done wholly or in part for the employer by a contractor,
             1116      including:
             1117          (I) all persons employed by the contractor;
             1118          (II) all subcontractors under the contractor; and
             1119          (III) all persons employed by any of these subcontractors.
             1120          (ii) Notwithstanding the other provisions in this Subsection (7), if the conditions of
             1121      Subsection (7)(f)(iii) are met, an eligible employer is considered an employer for purposes of
             1122      Section 34A-2-105 of the contractor, subcontractor, and all persons employed by the contractor
             1123      or subcontractor described in Subsection (7)(f)(i)(B).
             1124          (iii) Subsection (7)(f)(ii) applies if the eligible employer:
             1125          (A) under Subsection (7)(a) is liable for and pays workers' compensation benefits as an
             1126      original employer under Subsection (7)(a) because the contractor or subcontractor fails to
             1127      comply with Section 34A-2-201 ;
             1128          (B) (I) secures the payment of workers' compensation benefits for the contractor or
             1129      subcontractor pursuant to Section 34A-2-201 ;
             1130          (II) procures work to be done that is part or process of the trade or business of the
             1131      eligible employer; and
             1132          (III) does the following with regard to a written workplace accident and injury
             1133      reduction program that meets the requirements of Subsection 34A-2-111 (3)(d):
             1134          (Aa) adopts the workplace accident and injury reduction program;
             1135          (Bb) posts the workplace accident and injury reduction program at the work site at
             1136      which the eligible employer procures work; and
             1137          (Cc) enforces the workplace accident and injury reduction program according to the
             1138      terms of the workplace accident and injury reduction program; or
             1139          (C) (I) obtains and relies on:
             1140          (Aa) a valid certification described in Subsection (7)(c)(i) or (7)(e)(i);
             1141          (Bb) a workers' compensation policy described in Subsection (7)(c)(ii) or (7)(e)(ii); or
             1142          (Cc) proof that a director or officer is excluded from coverage under Subsection
             1143      34A-2-104 (4);


             1144          (II) is liable under Subsection (7)(a) for the payment of workers' compensation benefits
             1145      if the contractor or subcontractor fails to comply with Section 34A-2-201 ;
             1146          (III) procures work to be done that is part or process in the trade or business of the
             1147      eligible employer; and
             1148          (IV) does the following with regard to a written workplace accident and injury
             1149      reduction program that meets the requirements of Subsection 34A-2-111 (3)(d):
             1150          (Aa) adopts the workplace accident and injury reduction program;
             1151          (Bb) posts the workplace accident and injury reduction program at the work site at
             1152      which the eligible employer procures work; and
             1153          (Cc) enforces the workplace accident and injury reduction program according to the
             1154      terms of the workplace accident and injury reduction program.
             1155          Section 25. Section 34A-2-105 is amended to read:
             1156           34A-2-105. Exclusive remedy against employer, and officer, agent, or employee of
             1157      employer.
             1158          (1) The right to recover compensation pursuant to this chapter for injuries sustained by
             1159      an employee, whether resulting in death or not, [shall be] is the exclusive remedy against the
             1160      employer and [shall be] is the exclusive remedy against any officer, agent, or employee of the
             1161      employer and the liabilities of the employer imposed by this chapter [shall be] is in place of any
             1162      and all other civil liability whatsoever, at common law or otherwise, to the employee or to the
             1163      employee's spouse, widow, children, parents, dependents, next of kin, heirs, personal
             1164      representatives, guardian, or any other person whomsoever, on account of any accident or
             1165      injury or death, in any way contracted, sustained, aggravated, or incurred by the employee in
             1166      the course of or because of or arising out of the employee's employment, and [no] an action at
             1167      law may not be maintained against an employer or against any officer, agent, or employee of
             1168      the employer based upon any accident, injury, or death of an employee. Nothing in this
             1169      section[, however, shall prevent] prevents an employee, or the employee's dependents, from
             1170      filing a claim for compensation in those cases in accordance with Chapter 3, Utah Occupational
             1171      Disease Act.
             1172          (2) The exclusive remedy provisions of this section apply to both the client [company]
             1173      and the [employee leasing company in an employee leasing arrangement] professional
             1174      employer organization in a coemployment relationship regulated under Title [58] 31A, Chapter


             1175      [59] 40, Professional Employer Organization [Registration] Licensing Act.
             1176          (3) (a) For purposes of this section:
             1177          (i) "Temporary employee" means an individual who for temporary work assignment is:
             1178          (A) an employee of a temporary staffing company; or
             1179          (B) registered by or otherwise associated with a temporary staffing company.
             1180          (ii) "Temporary staffing company" means a company that engages in the assignment of
             1181      individuals as temporary full-time or part-time employees to fill assignments with a finite
             1182      ending date to another independent entity.
             1183          (b) If the temporary staffing company secures the payment of workers' compensation in
             1184      accordance with Section 34A-2-201 for all temporary employees of the temporary staffing
             1185      company, the exclusive remedy provisions of this section apply to both the temporary staffing
             1186      company and the client company and its employees and provide the temporary staffing
             1187      company the same protection that a client company and its employees has under this section for
             1188      the acts of any of the temporary staffing company's temporary employees on assignment at the
             1189      client company worksite.
             1190          Section 26. Section 35A-4-202 is amended to read:
             1191           35A-4-202. Employing units.
             1192          As used in this chapter:
             1193          (1) (a) "Employing unit" means:
             1194          (i) any individual or type of organization that has or subsequent to January 1, 1935, had
             1195      one or more individuals performing services for it within the state including any:
             1196          (A) partnership;
             1197          (B) association;
             1198          (C) trust;
             1199          (D) estate;
             1200          (E) joint stock company;
             1201          (F) insurance company;
             1202          (G) limited liability company;
             1203          (H) limited liability partnership;
             1204          (I) joint venture;
             1205          (J) corporation, whether domestic or foreign;


             1206          (K) the receiver, trustee in bankruptcy, trustee or successor of any entity listed in
             1207      Subsections (1)(a)(i)(A) through (J);
             1208          (L) the legal representative of a deceased person; or
             1209          (M) a tribal unit; or
             1210          (ii) any properly and legally registered professional employer organization[, commonly
             1211      known as an employee leasing company,] as defined by Section [ 58-59-102 ] 31A-40-102 .
             1212          (b) The department may adopt rules specific to a professional employer organization
             1213      pursuant to Title 63, Chapter 46a, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act.
             1214          (c) All individuals performing services within this state for any employing unit that
             1215      maintains two or more separate establishments within this state are considered to be
             1216      performing services for a single employing unit for all the purposes of this chapter.
             1217          (d) Each individual employed to perform or to assist in performing the work of any
             1218      person in the service of an employing unit is considered to be engaged by the employing unit
             1219      for all the purposes of this chapter whether the individual was hired or paid directly by the
             1220      employing unit or by the person, provided the employing unit had actual or constructive
             1221      knowledge of the work.
             1222          (2) "Hospital" means an institution that is licensed, certified, or approved by the
             1223      Department of Health as a hospital.
             1224          (3) "Institution of higher education," for the purposes of this section, means an
             1225      educational institution that:
             1226          (a) (i) admits, as regular students only, individuals having a certificate of graduation
             1227      from a high school or the recognized equivalent of a certificate;
             1228          (ii) is legally authorized in this state to provide a program of education beyond high
             1229      school;
             1230          (iii) provides:
             1231          (A) an educational program for which it awards a bachelor's or higher degree;
             1232          (B) a program that is acceptable for full credit toward a bachelor's or higher degree;
             1233          (C) a program of postgraduate or postdoctoral studies; or
             1234          (D) a program of training to prepare students for gainful employment in a recognized
             1235      occupation; and
             1236          (iv) is a public or other nonprofit institution.


             1237          (b) All colleges and universities in this state are institutions of higher education for
             1238      purposes of this section.
             1239          Section 27. Section 49-12-102 is amended to read:
             1240           49-12-102. Definitions.
             1241          As used in this chapter:
             1242          (1) (a) Except as provided in Subsection (1)(c), "compensation" means the total
             1243      amount of payments made by a participating employer to a member of this system for services
             1244      rendered to the participating employer, including:
             1245          (i) bonuses;
             1246          (ii) cost-of-living adjustments;
             1247          (iii) other payments currently includable in gross income and that are subject to Social
             1248      Security deductions, including any payments in excess of the maximum amount subject to
             1249      deduction under Social Security law;
             1250          (iv) amounts that the member authorizes to be deducted or reduced for salary deferral
             1251      or other benefits authorized by federal law; and
             1252          (v) member contributions.
             1253          (b) "Compensation" for purposes of this chapter may not exceed the amount allowed
             1254      under Internal Revenue Code, Section 401(a)(17).
             1255          (c) "Compensation" does not include:
             1256          (i) the monetary value of remuneration paid in kind, including a residence or use of
             1257      equipment;
             1258          (ii) the cost of any employment benefits paid for by the participating employer;
             1259          (iii) compensation paid to a temporary employee, an exempt employee, or an employee
             1260      otherwise ineligible for service credit;
             1261          (iv) any payments upon termination, including accumulated vacation, sick leave
             1262      payments, severance payments, compensatory time payments, or any other special payments; or
             1263          (v) any allowances or payments to a member for costs or expenses paid by the
             1264      participating employer, including automobile costs, uniform costs, travel costs, tuition costs,
             1265      housing costs, insurance costs, equipment costs, and dependent care costs.
             1266          (d) The executive director may determine if a payment not listed under this Subsection
             1267      (1) falls within the definition of compensation.


             1268          (2) "Final average salary" means the amount computed by averaging the highest five
             1269      years of annual compensation preceding retirement subject to Subsections (2)(a), (b), (c), and
             1270      (d).
             1271          (a) Except as provided in Subsection (2)(b), the percentage increase in annual
             1272      compensation in any one of the years used may not exceed the previous year's compensation by
             1273      more than 10% plus a cost-of-living adjustment equal to the decrease in the purchasing power
             1274      of the dollar during the previous year, as measured by a United States Bureau of Labor
             1275      Statistics Consumer Price Index average as determined by the board.
             1276          (b) In cases where the participating employer provides acceptable documentation to the
             1277      office, the limitation in Subsection (2)(a) may be exceeded if:
             1278          (i) the member has transferred from another agency; or
             1279          (ii) the member has been promoted to a new position.
             1280          (c) If the member retires more than six months from the date of termination of
             1281      employment, the member is considered to have been in service at the member's last rate of pay
             1282      from the date of the termination of employment to the effective date of retirement for purposes
             1283      of computing the member's final average salary only.
             1284          (d) If the member has less than five years of service credit in this system, final average
             1285      salary means the average annual compensation paid to the member during the full period of
             1286      service credit.
             1287          (3) "Participating employer" means an employer which meets the participation
             1288      requirements of Sections 49-12-201 and 49-12-202 .
             1289          (4) (a) "Regular full-time employee" means an employee whose term of employment
             1290      for a participating employer contemplates continued employment during a fiscal or calendar
             1291      year and whose employment normally requires an average of 20 hours or more per week,
             1292      except as modified by the board, and who receives benefits normally provided by the
             1293      participating employer.
             1294          (b) "Regular full-time employee" includes:
             1295          (i) a teacher whose term of employment for a participating employer contemplates
             1296      continued employment during a school year and who teaches half-time or more;
             1297          (ii) a classified school employee whose employment normally requires an average of
             1298      20 hours per week or more for a participating employer, regardless of benefits provided;


             1299          (iii) an officer, elective or appointive, who earns during the first full month of the term
             1300      of office $500 or more, indexed as of January 1, 1990, as provided in Section 49-12-407 ;
             1301          (iv) a faculty member or employee of an institution of higher education who is
             1302      considered full-time by that institution of higher education; and
             1303          (v) an individual who otherwise meets the definition of this Subsection (4) who
             1304      performs services for a participating employer through [an employee leasing] a professional
             1305      employer organization or similar arrangement.
             1306          (5) "System" means the Public Employees' Contributory Retirement System created
             1307      under this chapter.
             1308          (6) "Years of service credit" means:
             1309          (a) a period, consisting of 12 full months as determined by the board;
             1310          (b) a period determined by the board, whether consecutive or not, during which a
             1311      regular full-time employee performed services for a participating employer, including any time
             1312      the regular full-time employee was absent on a paid leave of absence granted by a participating
             1313      employer or was absent in the service of the United States government on military duty as
             1314      provided by this chapter; or
             1315          (c) the regular school year consisting of not less than eight months of full-time service
             1316      for a regular full-time employee of an educational institution.
             1317          Section 28. Section 49-13-102 is amended to read:
             1318           49-13-102. Definitions.
             1319          As used in this chapter:
             1320          (1) (a) Except as provided in Subsection (1)(c), "compensation" means the total
             1321      amount of payments made by a participating employer to a member of this system for services
             1322      rendered to the participating employer, including:
             1323          (i) bonuses;
             1324          (ii) cost-of-living adjustments;
             1325          (iii) other payments currently includable in gross income and that are subject to Social
             1326      Security deductions, including any payments in excess of the maximum amount subject to
             1327      deduction under Social Security law; and
             1328          (iv) amounts that the member authorizes to be deducted or reduced for salary deferral
             1329      or other benefits authorized by federal law.


             1330          (b) "Compensation" for purposes of this chapter may not exceed the amount allowed
             1331      under Internal Revenue Code, Section 401(a)(17).
             1332          (c) "Compensation" does not include:
             1333          (i) the monetary value of remuneration paid in kind, including a residence or use of
             1334      equipment;
             1335          (ii) the cost of any employment benefits paid for by the participating employer;
             1336          (iii) compensation paid to a temporary employee, an exempt employee, or an employee
             1337      otherwise ineligible for service credit;
             1338          (iv) any payments upon termination, including accumulated vacation, sick leave
             1339      payments, severance payments, compensatory time payments, or any other special payments; or
             1340          (v) any allowances or payments to a member for costs or expenses paid by the
             1341      participating employer, including automobile costs, uniform costs, travel costs, tuition costs,
             1342      housing costs, insurance costs, equipment costs, and dependent care costs.
             1343          (d) The executive director may determine if a payment not listed under this Subsection
             1344      (1) falls within the definition of compensation.
             1345          (2) "Final average salary" means the amount computed by averaging the highest three
             1346      years of annual compensation preceding retirement subject to the following:
             1347          (a) Except as provided in Subsection (2)(b), the percentage increase in annual
             1348      compensation in any one of the years used may not exceed the previous year's compensation by
             1349      more than 10% plus a cost-of-living adjustment equal to the decrease in the purchasing power
             1350      of the dollar during the previous year, as measured by a United States Bureau of Labor
             1351      Statistics Consumer Price Index average as determined by the board.
             1352          (b) In cases where the participating employer provides acceptable documentation to the
             1353      office, the limitation in Subsection (2)(a) may be exceeded if:
             1354          (i) the member has transferred from another agency; or
             1355          (ii) the member has been promoted to a new position.
             1356          (c) If the member retires more than six months from the date of termination of
             1357      employment and for purposes of computing the member's final average salary only, the
             1358      member is considered to have been in service at his last rate of pay from the date of the
             1359      termination of employment to the effective date of retirement.
             1360          (3) "Participating employer" means an employer which meets the participation


             1361      requirements of Sections 49-13-201 and 49-13-202 .
             1362          (4) (a) "Regular full-time employee" means an employee whose term of employment
             1363      for a participating employer contemplates continued employment during a fiscal or calendar
             1364      year and whose employment normally requires an average of 20 hours or more per week,
             1365      except as modified by the board, and who receives benefits normally provided by the
             1366      participating employer.
             1367          (b) "Regular full-time employee" includes:
             1368          (i) a teacher whose term of employment for a participating employer contemplates
             1369      continued employment during a school year and who teaches half-time or more;
             1370          (ii) a classified school employee whose employment normally requires an average of
             1371      20 hours per week or more for a participating employer, regardless of benefits provided;
             1372          (iii) an officer, elective or appointive, who earns during the first full month of the term
             1373      of office $500 or more, indexed as of January 1, 1990, as provided in Section 49-13-407 ;
             1374          (iv) a faculty member or employee of an institution of higher education who is
             1375      considered full-time by that institution of higher education; and
             1376          (v) an individual who otherwise meets the definition of this Subsection (4) who
             1377      performs services for a participating employer through [an employee leasing] a professional
             1378      employer organization or similar arrangement.
             1379          (5) "System" means the Public Employees' Noncontributory Retirement System.
             1380          (6) "Years of service credit" means:
             1381          (a) a period, consisting of 12 full months as determined by the board;
             1382          (b) a period determined by the board, whether consecutive or not, during which a
             1383      regular full-time employee performed services for a participating employer, including any time
             1384      the regular full-time employee was absent on a paid leave of absence granted by a participating
             1385      employer or was absent in the service of the United States government on military duty as
             1386      provided by this chapter; or
             1387          (c) the regular school year consisting of not less than eight months of full-time service
             1388      for a regular full-time employee of an educational institution.
             1389          Section 29. Repealer.
             1390          This bill repeals:
             1391          Section 58-59-101, Short title.


             1392          Section 58-59-102, Definitions.
             1393          Section 58-59-301, Registration required.
             1394          Section 58-59-302, Registration process.
             1395          Section 58-59-302.5, Assurance organization.
             1396          Section 58-59-303, Term of registration -- Expiration -- Renewal.
             1397          Section 58-59-303.5, Information to be filed by PEO.
             1398          Section 58-59-306, Financial requirements, contractual relations, and allocation of
             1399      rights, duties, and obligations -- Taxes and fees.
             1400          Section 58-59-306.5, Employment related economic incentives -- Employment
             1401      information -- Client's status.
             1402          Section 58-59-308, No guarantee.
             1403          Section 58-59-501, Unlawful conduct.
             1404          Section 58-59-503, Penalty for unlawful conduct.




Legislative Review Note
    as of 1-23-08 5:24 PM


Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel


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