In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. “Construction services” includes the following services provided in connection with real property: building; reconstructing; improving; enlarging; painting; altering; maintaining; and repairing. “Employer” means any person that employs an individual in the State. “Exempt person” means an individual who: performs services in a personal capacity and employs no individuals other than: a spouse of the exempt person; children of the exempt person; or parents of the exempt person; performs services free from direction and control over the means and manner of providing the services, subject only to the right of the person or entity for whom services are provided to specify the desired result; furnishes the tools and equipment necessary to provide the service; operates a business that is considered inseparable from the individual for purposes of taxes, profits, and liabilities: in which the individual: owns all of the assets and profits of the business; and has sole, unlimited, personal liability for all of the debts and liabilities of the business, unless the business is organized as a single–owned corporate entity, to which sole, unlimited personal liability does not apply; and for which: the individual does not pay taxes for the business separately but reports business income and losses on the individual’s personal tax return; and if the business is organized as a corporate entity and the individual otherwise qualifies as an exempt person under this subsection, the individual files a separate federal informational tax return for the entity as required by law; exercises complete control over the management and operations of the business; and exercises the right and opportunity on a continuing basis to perform the services of the business for multiple entities at the individual’s sole choice and discretion. “Knowingly” means having actual knowledge, deliberate ignorance, or reckless disregard for the truth. “Landscaping services” includes the following services: garden maintenance and planting; lawn care including fertilizing, mowing, mulching, seeding, and spraying; seeding and mowing of highway strips; sod laying; turf installation, except artificial; ornamental bush planting, pruning, bracing, spraying, and removal; and ornamental tree planting, pruning, bracing, spraying, and removal. “Place of business” means the office or headquarters of the employer. “Place of business” does not include a work site at which the employer has been contracted to perform services. “Public body” means: the State; a unit of State government or an instrumentality of the State; or any political subdivision, agency, person, or entity that is a party to a contract for which 50% or more of the money used is State money.

This subtitle applies only to the following industries: construction services; and landscaping services.

An employer may not fail to properly classify an individual who performs work for remuneration paid by the employer. An employer has failed to properly classify an individual when an employer–employee relationship exists as determined under subsection (c) of this section but the employer has not classified the individual as an employee. Except as provided in § 3–903.1 of this subtitle, for purposes of enforcement of this subtitle only, work performed by an individual for remuneration paid by an employer shall be presumed to create an employer–employee relationship, unless: the individual is an exempt person; or an employer demonstrates that: the individual who performs the work is free from control and direction over its performance both in fact and under the contract; the individual customarily is engaged in an independent business or occupation of the same nature as that involved in the work; and the work is: outside of the usual course of business of the person for whom the work is performed; or performed outside of any place of business of the person for whom the work is performed. Work is outside of the usual course of business of the person for whom it is performed under paragraph (1) of this subsection if: the individual performs the work off the employer’s premises; the individual performs work that is not integrated into the employer’s operation; or the work performed is unrelated to the employer’s business. By contract, an employer may engage another business entity, which may have its own employees, to do the same type of work in which the employer engages, at the same location where the employer is working, without establishing an employer–employee relationship between the two contracting entities. The Commissioner shall adopt regulations to explain further and provide specific examples of the application of subsection (c) of this section.

The presumption that an employer–employee relationship exists under § 3–903(c)(1) of this subtitle does not apply if: an employer produces for inspection by the Commissioner: a written contract, signed by the employer and business entity, that: describes the nature of the work to be performed by the business entity; describes the remuneration to be paid for the work performed by the business entity; and includes an acknowledgment by the business entity of the business entity’s obligations under this article to: withhold, report, and remit payroll taxes on behalf of all employees working for the business entity; pay unemployment insurance taxes for all employees working for the business entity; and maintain workers’ compensation insurance; an affidavit signed by the business entity indicating that the business entity is an independent contractor who is available to work for other business entities; a current certificate of status of the business entity, issued by the State Department of Assessments and Taxation, indicating that the business entity is in good standing; and proof that the business entity holds all occupational licenses required by State and local authorities for the work performed; and the employer provided to each individual classified as an independent contractor or exempt person a written notice under § 3–914 of this subtitle.

An employer may not knowingly fail to properly classify an individual who performs work for remuneration paid by the employer. An employer has knowingly failed to properly classify an individual when: an employer–employee relationship exists as determined under § 3–903(c) of this subtitle; and the employer has knowingly failed to properly classify the individual as an employee. The Commissioner shall consider, as strong evidence that the employer did not knowingly fail to properly classify an individual, whether: before a complaint was filed against the employer or the Commissioner began an investigation of the employer, the employer: sought and obtained evidence that the individual: is an exempt person; or as an independent contractor: withholds, reports, and remits payroll taxes on behalf of all individuals working for the independent contractor; pays unemployment insurance taxes for all individuals working for the independent contractor; and maintains workers’ compensation insurance; and provided to the exempt person or independent contractor a written notice as required by § 3–914 of this subtitle; or the employer: classifies all workers who perform the same or substantially the same tasks for the employer as independent contractors; and reports the income of the workers to the Internal Revenue Service as required by federal law; and has received a determination from the Internal Revenue Service that the individual or a worker who performs the same or substantially the same task as the individual is an independent contractor. The Commissioner shall adopt regulations to provide guidance as to what constitutes the evidence relevant to the determination of whether an employer knowingly failed to properly classify an employee.

The Commissioner shall investigate as necessary to determine compliance with this subtitle and regulations adopted under this subtitle. Any written or oral complaint or statement made by a person as part of an investigation under this section is confidential and may not be disclosed without the consent of the person until the investigation is concluded and a citation is issued. Any written or oral statement made by an individual alleged to be employed by the respondent as part of an investigation under this section is confidential and may not be disclosed without the consent of the individual. The Commissioner may enter a place of business or work site to: observe work being performed; interview individuals on the work site, including those identified as employees and independent contractors; and review and copy records. The Commissioner may require each employer to: subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, identify and produce for copying or inspection all records relevant to the classification of each individual; attest to the truthfulness of each record that is copied in accordance with subsection (c)(3) of this section or each copy of a record that is provided to the Commissioner under item (i) of this paragraph and to sign the copy; or at the option of the employer, submit a written statement about the classification of each employee on the form provided by the Commissioner, with any relevant records attached. An employer may comply with a requirement to produce records under paragraph (1)(i) of this subsection by producing copies of the records. An employer that fails to produce records for copying or inspection or a written statement under subsection (d) of this section within 30 business days after the Commissioner’s request, or an extension of time mutually agreed on by both parties, shall be subject to a fine not exceeding $500 per day for each day the records are not produced. The Commissioner may issue a subpoena for testimony and the production of records. If a person fails to comply with a subpoena issued under this subsection, the Commissioner may file a complaint in the circuit court for the county where the person resides, is employed, or has a place of business, requesting an order directing compliance with the subpoena.

After the employer has provided all the records requested under § 3–905(d) of this subtitle, the Commissioner shall issue a citation to the employer or close the investigation within 90 days. Each citation shall: describe in detail the nature of the alleged violation; cite the provision of this subtitle or any regulation that the employer is alleged to have violated; and state the civil penalty, if any, that the Commissioner proposes to assess. Within a reasonable time after issuance of a citation, the Commissioner shall send by certified mail to the employer: a copy of the citation; and notice of the opportunity to request a hearing. Within 15 days after an employer receives a notice under subsection (c) of this section, the employer may submit a written request for a hearing on the citation and proposed penalty. If a hearing is not requested within 15 days, the citation, including any penalties, shall become a final order of the Commissioner. If the employer requests a hearing, the Commissioner shall delegate to the Office of Administrative Hearings the authority to hold a hearing and issue findings of fact, conclusions of law, and an order, and assess a penalty under § 3–909 of this subtitle in accordance with Title 10, Subtitle 2 of the State Government Article. The employer is entitled to a hearing within 90 days after a timely request is made under this subsection, unless the employer waives that right. Within 15 days after a request, in accordance with Title 4 of the General Provisions Article and the applicable regulations of the Department and the Office of Administrative Hearings, the Commissioner shall provide copies of all relevant evidence, including a list of potential witnesses, on which the Commissioner intends to rely at any administrative hearing under this subtitle. The Commissioner has the burden of proof to show that an employer has knowingly failed to properly classify an individual as an employee. A decision of an administrative law judge issued in accordance with Title 10, Subtitle 2 of the State Government Article shall become a final order of the Commissioner. Any party aggrieved by a final order of the Commissioner under subsection (i) of this section may seek judicial review and appeal under §§ 10–222 and 10–223 of the State Government Article.

If, after investigation, the Commissioner determines that an employer failed to properly classify an individual as an employee in violation of § 3–903 of this subtitle, or knowingly failed to properly classify as an employee an employee in violation of § 3–904 of this subtitle, and issues a citation, the Commissioner shall notify the Comptroller, the Office of Unemployment Insurance, the Insurance Administration, and the Workers’ Compensation Commission to enable these agencies to assure an employer’s compliance with their laws, utilizing their own definitions, standards, and procedures. An employer found in violation of § 3–903 of this subtitle by a final order of a court or an administrative unit shall be required, within 45 days after the final order: to pay restitution to any individual not properly classified; and to otherwise come into compliance with all applicable labor laws, including those related to income tax withholding, unemployment insurance, wage laws, and workers’ compensation. The requirement for compliance with applicable labor laws under paragraph (1)(ii) of this subsection may include requiring the employer to enter into an agreement, within 45 days after the final order, with a governmental unit for payment of any amounts owed by the employer to the unit. The requirement for compliance with applicable labor laws under paragraph (1)(ii) of this subsection: may not require payments for more than a 12–month period; and may not require payments due for a period before the 12–month period before the citation was issued. An employer found in violation of § 3–904 of this subtitle by a final order of a court or an administrative unit shall be required, within 45 days after the final order: to pay restitution to any individual not properly classified; and to otherwise come into compliance with all applicable labor laws, including those related to income tax withholding, unemployment insurance, wage laws, and workers’ compensation.

An employer in violation of § 3–903 of this subtitle who comes into timely compliance with all applicable labor laws as required by § 3–907(b) of this subtitle may not be assessed a civil penalty. An employer in violation of § 3–903 of this subtitle who fails to come into timely compliance with all applicable labor laws as required by § 3–907(b) of this subtitle shall be assessed a civil penalty of up to $1,000 for each employee for whom the employer is not in compliance. In determining the amount of the penalty, the Commissioner shall consider the factors set forth in § 3–909(b) of this subtitle. An employer may be assessed civil penalties under this section by only one final order of a court or administrative unit for the same actions constituting noncompliance with applicable labor laws as required by § 3–907(b) and (c) of this subtitle. Notwithstanding paragraph (1) of this subsection, an employer may be ordered to make restitution, pay any interest due, and otherwise comply with all applicable laws and regulations by multiple final orders of a court and all relevant administrative units, including the Comptroller, the Office of Unemployment Insurance, the Insurance Administration, and the Workers’ Compensation Commission. Any penalty issued under this section against an employer shall be in effect against any successor corporation or business entity that: has one or more of the same principals or officers as the employer against whom the penalty was assessed; and is engaged in the same or equivalent trade or activity.

An employer found to have knowingly failed to properly classify an individual in violation of § 3–904 of this subtitle shall be assessed a civil penalty of up to $10,000 for each employee who was not properly classified. In determining the amount of the penalty, the Commissioner or the administrative law judge shall consider: the gravity of the violation; the size of the employer’s business; the employer’s good faith; the employer’s history of violations under this subtitle; and whether the employer: has been found, by a court or an administrative unit, to have deprived the employee of any rights to which the employee would have been entitled under a State protective labor law, including but not limited to: any provision of this article; the State prevailing wage law, under §§ 17–221 and 17–222 of the State Finance and Procurement Article; or the living wage law, under § 18–108 of the State Finance and Procurement Article; and has made restitution and come into compliance with all such State protective labor laws with respect to the employee. If the court or an administrative unit determines that an individual or class of individuals is entitled to restitution as a result of the employer’s violation of § 3–904 of this subtitle, the court or administrative unit: shall award each individual any restitution to which the individual may be entitled; and may award each individual an additional amount up to three times the amount of such restitution. An employer in violation of § 3–904 of this subtitle may be assessed double the administrative penalties set forth in subsection (a) of this section if the employer has been found previously to have violated this subtitle by a final order of a court or an administrative unit. An employer who has been found by a final order of a court or an administrative unit to have violated § 3–904 of this subtitle three or more times may be assessed an administrative penalty of up to $20,000 for each employee. An employer may be assessed civil penalties under this section or § 8–201.1 or § 9–402.1 of this article by only one final order of a court or administrative unit for the same actions constituting a violation of this subtitle. Notwithstanding paragraph (1) of this subsection, an employer may be ordered to make restitution, pay any interest due, and otherwise comply with all applicable laws and regulations by orders of a court and all relevant administrative units, including the Comptroller, the Office of Unemployment Insurance, the Insurance Administration, and the Workers’ Compensation Commission. Any penalty issued under this section against an employer shall be in effect against any successor corporation or business entity that: has one or more of the same principals or officers as the employer against whom the penalty was assessed, unless the principal or officer did not or with the exercise of reasonable diligence could not know of the violation for which the penalty was imposed; and is engaged in the same or equivalent trade or activity.

As authorized by State and federal law, units within the Maryland Department of Labor and the Department of Budget and Management, the Secretary of State, the Comptroller, the Maryland Insurance Administration, and other State agencies shall cooperate and share information concerning any suspected failure to properly classify an individual as an employee. On a showing by clear and convincing evidence that a violation of § 3–904 of this subtitle has occurred and as authorized by federal and State law, the Commissioner shall refer any complaint that alleges a violation of § 13–1007 or § 13–1024 of the Tax – General Article to the: Comptroller; State’s Attorney with jurisdiction over the alleged violation; Department of Justice; Department of Labor; and Department of the Treasury.

Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, an individual who has not been properly classified as an employee may bring a civil action for economic damages against the employer for any violation of this subtitle. An individual may not bring a civil action under this section if a final order of an administrative unit or of a court has been issued under § 3–906 of this subtitle. An action filed under this section shall be filed within 3 years after the date the cause of action accrues. If the court determines that an individual or class of individuals is entitled to judgment in an action against an employer filed in accordance with this section, the court may award each individual: any damages to which the individual may be entitled under subsection (a) of this section; an additional amount up to three times the amount of any such damages, if the employer knowingly failed to properly classify the individual; reasonable counsel fees and other costs of the action; and any other appropriate relief.

Where, after investigation, the Commissioner issues a citation for a knowing violation of this subtitle or regulations adopted under this subtitle by an employer engaged in work on a contract with a public body, the Commissioner shall promptly notify the public body. On notification, the public body shall withhold from payment due the employer an amount that is sufficient to: pay restitution to each employee for the full amount of wages due; and pay any benefits, taxes, or other contributions that are required by law to be paid on behalf of the employee. The public body shall release: on issuance of a favorable final order of a court or an administrative unit, the full amount of the withheld funds; and on an adverse final order of a court or an administrative unit, the balance of the withheld funds after all obligations are satisfied under paragraph (1) of this subsection.

An employer shall keep, for at least 3 years, in or about its place of business, records of the employer containing the following information: the name, address, occupation, and classification of each employee or independent contractor; the rate of pay of each employee or method of payment for the independent contractor; the amount that is paid each pay period to each employee or, if applicable, independent contractor; the hours that each employee or independent contractor works each day and each workweek; for all individuals who are not classified as employees, evidence that each individual is an exempt person or an independent contractor or its employee; and other information that the Commissioner requires, by regulation, as necessary to enforce this subtitle. An employer shall provide each individual classified as an independent contractor or exempt person with written notice of the classification of the individual at the time the individual is hired. The written notice shall: include an explanation of the implications of the individual’s classification as an independent contractor or exempt person rather than as an employee; and be provided in English and Spanish. The Commissioner shall adopt regulations establishing the specific requirements for the contents and form of the notice. If an employer fails to provide notice under subsection (b) of this section, the Commissioner may assess a civil penalty of not more than $50 for each day that the employer fails to provide notice.

A person may not knowingly incorporate or form, or assist in the incorporation or formation of, a corporation, partnership, limited liability corporation, or other entity, or pay or collect a fee for use of a foreign or domestic corporation, partnership, limited liability corporation, or other entity for the purpose of facilitating, or evading detection of, a violation of this subtitle. A person may not knowingly conspire with, aid and abet, assist, advise, or facilitate an employer with the intent of violating this subtitle. Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, a person that violates this section shall be subject to a civil penalty not exceeding $20,000. A person that violates this section may not be subject to a civil penalty under this section if the person: holds a professional license as a lawyer or a certified public accountant; and was performing an activity in the ordinary course of that person’s license when the violation occurred. If the person is exempt from sanction under paragraph (2) of this subsection, the Commissioner shall promptly refer the person for investigation and possible sanction to the unit of State government that has regulatory jurisdiction over the business activities of that person. The procedures governing investigations, citations, and administrative and judicial review of an alleged violation under this section shall be the same as those set forth in §§ 3–905 and 3–906 of this subtitle. A person may be assessed civil penalties under this section by only one final order of a court or administrative unit for the same actions constituting the violation.

The Commissioner shall adopt regulations to carry out this subtitle.

Each civil penalty under this subtitle shall be paid into the General Fund of the State.

The proposed budget of the Division of Labor and Industry shall include an appropriation from the Workers’ Compensation Commission to cover the cost of administering this subtitle. The Workers’ Compensation Commission shall pay the cost of administering this subtitle from money that the Commission receives under § 9–316 of this article.

The Commissioner shall prepare an annual report for the Secretary and, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, the General Assembly on the administration and enforcement of this subtitle, that shall include: the number and nature of complaints received; the number of investigations conducted; the number of citations issued; the number of informal resolutions of the citations; the number of citations appealed to the Office of Administrative Hearings and the outcomes of those hearings; the number of requests for judicial review of final orders and whether the orders were affirmed or overturned; and the number of civil penalties assessed, the total dollar amount of those penalties, and the total dollar amount collected. The Commissioner’s report shall be a public record.