39-71-507. Department to order uninsured employer to cease operations -- noncompliance with order a misdemeanor -- coordination of remedies. - Montana Statutes

     39-71-507. Department to order uninsured employer to cease operations -- noncompliance with order a misdemeanor -- coordination of remedies. (1) When the department discovers an uninsured employer, it shall order the employer to cease operations until the employer has elected to be bound by a compensation plan.
     (2) When the department discovers a person, business, or other entity functioning as a prime contractor that has subcontracted for the services of an uninsured employer, it may order the person, business, or other entity functioning as a prime contractor to cause all operations performed by the uninsured employer to cease at worksites controlled by the prime contractor until the uninsured employer has elected to be bound by a compensation plan. If after 3 business days following the order by the department the person, business, or other entity functioning as a prime contractor has not complied with the order, the department may order the prime contractor to cease all operations at the affected worksites.
     (3) An employer who does not comply with the department's order to cease operations is guilty of a misdemeanor. Each day of violation is a separate offense. The county attorney may prosecute a criminal action under this subsection in the county in which the violation occurs. Prosecution under this subsection does not bar the department from enforcing its order by a civil action.
     (4) A person, business, or other entity functioning as a prime contractor that does not comply with the department's order to cease all operations is guilty of a misdemeanor. Each day of violation is a separate offense. The county attorney may prosecute a criminal action under this subsection in the county in which the violation occurs. Prosecution under this subsection does not bar the department from enforcing its order by a civil action. In addition, the department may assess a penalty against the person, business, or other entity functioning as a prime contractor of not more than $1,000 per day for each day of violation.
     (5) The department may institute and maintain in the name of the state, through the attorney general or the county attorney of the county in which the violation occurs, an action for an injunction order or other civil remedy in district court to enforce its order to cease operations.
     (6) The remedies provided in 39-71-506 and subsections (3) through (5) of this section are not mutually exclusive and may be pursued concurrently.

     History: En. 92-212 by Sec. 4, Ch. 550, L. 1977; R.C.M. 1947, 92-212(6); amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 586, L. 1987; amd. Sec. 64, Ch. 613, L. 1989; amd. Sec. 11, Ch. 516, L. 1995.