(1)
- (a) Subject to subsection (1)(b), the department of labor and industry shall reimburse a private employer who has hired a student enrolled in a high-quality work-based learning opportunity for the added costs of the employer's workers' compensation premium because of employing that student.
- (b) The reimbursement is subject to available funds and an affirmation by the employer or another indication that the employer adheres to safe working conditions and that the first 2 hours, at a minimum, of the student's employment were devoted to safety instruction through a safety training program that is specific to the student's employment. The department may use funds in the workers' compensation administration fund provided for in 39-71-201 to reimburse the premiums under subsection (1)(a).
- (2) The rules must provide the parameters of the program, the application process, and other components necessary to determine premium payments. The rules must describe the attributes of qualified high-quality work-based learning opportunities and provide for a declaration made under penalty of perjury by the employer of the student that the requested reimbursement is only for the increased premium costs due to the student employment.
- (3) This section does not apply to a private secondary or postsecondary institution that employs students in work-study programs.
(4) For the purposes of this section, a high-quality work-based learning opportunity:
- (a) is a term-limited educational program registered with the department; and
- (b) uses on-the-job training to develop marketable skills.
- (5) The department may adopt rules to implement this section.
History: En. Sec. 1, Ch. 400, L. 2019.