Sec. 2. (a) The department shall develop guidelines and procedures for investigating questions and complaints concerning employee classification and a plan for implementation of those guidelines and procedures.
(b) The guidelines and procedures must do the following:
(1) Cover at least the following:
(A) Who is eligible to file a complaint. The guidelines and procedures must allow any aggrieved person to file a complaint and must indicate what evidence is needed to initiate an investigation.
(B) Applicable and appropriate penalties, taking into consideration:
(i) the financial impact on both employers and misclassified employees; and
(ii) whether the employer has previously misclassified employees.
(C) Mechanisms to share data with appropriate state agencies to assist those agencies in determining compliance with and enforcing state laws concerning misclassified employees and to recoup contributions owed, depending on the level of culpability.
(D) Record keeping requirements for contractors, including any records necessary for the department to investigate alleged violations concerning misclassification of employees.
(E) Investigative procedures.
(2) Apply to public works and private work projects for construction (as defined in IC 5-1.2-2), including demolition.
(3) Apply to any contractor that engages in construction and is authorized to do business in Indiana.
(4) Provide a remedy for an employer or a misclassified employee in response to:
(A) any retaliation that occurs as the result of an investigation or a complaint; and
(B) any complaints that the department determines are frivolous or that are filed for the purpose of harassment.
(5) Provide that in carrying out this chapter the department has the same inspection, investigative, and enforcement powers that the department has in enforcing the labor laws of this state, including powers described in IC 22-1-1.
(c) The guidelines and procedures may include other elements as determined by the department.
(d) The department shall exempt the following from the guidelines and procedures developed under this chapter:
(1) Residential construction of a single family home or duplex if the builder builds less than twenty-five (25) units each year.
(2) An owner-operator that provides a motor vehicle and the services of a driver under a written contract that is subject to IC 8-2.1-24-23, 45 IAC 16-1-13, or 49 CFR 376, to a motor carrier.
As added by P.L.110-2010, SEC.22. Amended by P.L.189-2018, SEC.152.