SAIF Pursues Bill to Criminalize Premium Fraud

Oregon’s SAIF Corp. is pursuing legislation this year that would expressly criminalize premium fraud. Senate Bill 1580, by Sen. Kathleen Taylor, D-Milwaukie, would create the crime of fraudulent misrepresentation if an employer misrepresents payroll, employee hours or the kind of work being performed with the intent to decrease premiums. The crime would be a felony punishable by a fine of up to $125,000 plus restitution equal to a carrier’s investigation costs and the difference between premiums the employer paid and premiums it would have paid but for the fraudulent misrepresent...