Section 351-15-8 - Assessment of Penalties under 39-A M.R.S.A. section 359(2)1. Pursuant to 39-A M.R.S.A. §152(7), the Maine Workers' Compensation Board delegates to the Workers' Compensation Board Abuse Investigation Unit the authority to recommend the imposition of penalties pursuant to §359(2). The Board designates the Executive Director, or the Executive Director's designee, to be the Presiding Officer for hearings conducted pursuant to this rule. The Presiding Officer shall have the authority to assess civil penalties, after hearing, pursuant to §359(2).2. Any party in interest may file a §359(2) complaint with the Abuse Investigation Unit. The Abuse Investigation Unit may also initiate action, either on its own, or on referral from the Monitoring, Audit, and Enforcement (MAE) Program. The Abuse Investigation Unit will investigate all complaints and, as part of the investigation, may require the parties to submit written evidence concerning the complaint or complaints, including position papers.3. Upon completion of the investigation, the Abuse Investigation Unit will determine whether the allegations, if true, demonstrate that an employer, insurer, or 3rd-party administrator for an employer has engaged in a pattern of questionable claims-handling techniques or repeated, unreasonably-contested claims. For purposes of this rule, a claim is unreasonably contested if there is no articulable basis for contesting the claim, or the claim is contested upon a basis that is contrary to law or rule.4. If so, the subject of the investigation will be notified that the matter is being referred for hearing and possible imposition of civil penalties. If not, further investigation under §359(2) will be denied.5. The Presiding Officer will schedule and hold a hearing in referred cases. The Presiding Officer will issue a hearing order to the parties concerning the procedure to be followed before and during the hearing, including the submission of additional evidence and the filing of motions. In cases where a party is alleging that an employer, insurer, or 3rd-party administrator for an employer has engaged in a pattern of questionable claims-handling techniques or repeated, unreasonably-contested claims, the burden will be upon the complaining party to prove its contentions. In cases where there is no specific complaining party, the Abuse Investigation Unit will present evidence acquired during, or as a result of the investigation. In all cases, the Presiding Officer will actively participate to ensure that all relevant information is considered prior to issuing findings. If necessary, the Presiding Officer may request further investigation by the Abuse Investigation Unit if circumstances warrant.6. To prevail, the moving party must show by a preponderance of the evidence that an employer, insurer, or 3rd-party administrator for an employer has engaged in a pattern of questionable claims-handling techniques or repeated, unreasonably-contested claims.7. In cases where there is a finding that an employer, insurer, or 3rd-party administrator for an employer has engaged in a pattern of questionable claims-handling techniques or repeated, unreasonably-contested claims, the Presiding Officer, in determining the amount of penalty to be assessed, shall consider the severity of the offense, and any previous adverse determinations under §359(2) against the employer, insurer, or 3rd-party administrator for an employer.8. All findings and conclusions shall issue in a written order. Decisions rendered by the Presiding Officer shall be appealable to the Law Court as provided in 39-A M.R.S.A. §322.9. All decisions rendered by the Presiding Officer shall be presented to the Board. The Board shall certify its findings to the Superintendent of Insurance. This certification by the Board is exempt from the provisions of the Maine Administrative Procedure Act.90- 351 C.M.R. ch. 15, § 8