39-71-319. State to reimburse certain premium costs for learning programs -- rulemaking. (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.