Section 3700.5 Of Article 1. Insurance And Security From California Labor Code >> Division 4. >> Part 1. >> Chapter 4. >> Article 1.
3700.5
. (a) The failure to secure the payment of compensation as
required by this article by one who knew, or because of his or her
knowledge or experience should be reasonably expected to have known,
of the obligation to secure the payment of compensation, is a
misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment in the county jail for up to
one year, or by a fine of up to double the amount of premium, as
determined by the court, that would otherwise have been due to secure
the payment of compensation during the time compensation was not
secured, but not less than ten thousand dollars ($10,000), or by both
that imprisonment and fine.
(b) A second or subsequent conviction shall be punished by
imprisonment in the county jail for a period not to exceed one year,
by a fine of triple the amount of premium, or by both that
imprisonment and fine, as determined by the court, that would
otherwise have been due to secure the payment of compensation during
the time payment was not secured, but not less than fifty thousand
dollars ($50,000).
(c) Upon a first conviction of a person under this section, the
person may be charged the costs of investigation at the discretion of
the court. Upon a subsequent conviction, the person shall be charged
the costs of investigation in addition to any other penalties
pursuant to subdivision (b). The costs of investigation shall be paid
only after the payment of any benefits that may be owed to injured
workers, any reimbursement that may be owed to the director for
benefits provided to the injured worker pursuant to Section 3717, and
any other penalty assessments that may be owed.