Sec. 15. (a) This section applies to a contractor in any contractor tier of a public works project.

     (b) A public agency that reasonably suspects a contractor has violated a provision of this chapter shall do one (1) of the following:

Terms Used In Indiana Code 5-16-13-15

(1) If the suspected violation concerns or is related to any of the following provisions, the public agency shall refer the matter to the appropriate agency as follows:

(A) For a suspected violation of section 11(1) of this chapter (E-Verify), the Indiana department of labor.

(B) For a suspected violation of section 11(3) of this chapter (the federal FLSA or state minimum wage law), the Indiana department of labor.

(C) For a suspected violation of section 11(4) of this chapter (worker’s compensation or occupational diseases), the worker’s compensation board of Indiana.

(D) For a suspected violation of section 11(5) of this chapter (unemployment insurance), the department of workforce development.

(2) If the suspected violation concerns a provision of this chapter other than a provision listed in subdivision (1), the public agency shall require the contractor to remedy the violation not later than thirty (30) days after the public agency notifies the contractor of the violation. The notification to the contractor must be signed by the chief executive officer of the public agency and sent by a method that enables the public agency to verify receipt of the notice by the contractor. During the thirty (30) day period, the contractor may continue to work on the public works project. If the contractor fails to remedy the violation within the thirty (30) day period, the public agency shall find the contractor not responsible and determine the length of time the contractor is considered not responsible by the public agency.

     (c) In making the determination of the length of time a contractor is not responsible under subsection (b)(2), the public agency shall consider the severity of the violation. The period during which a contractor is considered not responsible:

(1) may not exceed forty-eight (48) months; and

(2) begins on the date of substantial completion of the public works project.

     (d) A finding by a public agency under subsection (b)(2) that a contractor is not responsible may not be used by another public agency in making a determination as to whether the contractor is responsible for purposes of that public agency’s award of a public works contract to that contractor.

As added by P.L.252-2015, SEC.12.