Pennsylvania Code
Title 34 - LABOR AND INDUSTRY
Part VIII - Bureau of Workers' Compensation
Chapter 131 - SPECIAL RULES OF ADMINISTRATIVE PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE BEFORE WORKERS' COMPENSATION JUDGES
Subchapter C - FORMAL PROCEEDINGS
PENALTY PROCEEDINGS
Section 131.121 - Penalty proceedings initiated by a party

(a) Penalty proceedings may be initiated by a party filing a petition for penalties as provided in § 131.32 (relating to petitions except petitions for joinder and challenge proceedings). Answers shall be filed as provided in § 131.33 (relating to answers except answers to petitions for joinder and challenge proceedings).

(b) Penalty proceedings initiated by a party in a pending proceeding may be initiated by a petition under subsection (a) or by motion on the record in the pending proceeding. If penalties are requested by motion on the record, an answer may be made either orally on the record or as provided in subsection (a).

(c) If, in a pending proceeding where no separate penalty petition has been filed in accordance with subsection (a), it appears to the judge in proceedings before the judge that there has been noncompliance with the act or this chapter, the judge will schedule a hearing for the purpose of determining if noncompliance has occurred unless the hearing is waived by the parties. The hearing will be scheduled either upon motion of a party or on the judge's own motion unless waived.

(d) The judge will give notice of the scheduling of any penalty hearing to all parties and this notice will specify the nature of the penalty proceeding and that the hearing will involve the question of the imposition of penalties under the act or this chapter.

(e) The penalty hearing may be conducted in conjunction with a hearing on the merits in a pending proceeding or at a separate hearing.

(f) At the penalty hearing, the judge will take testimony, receive evidence and hear arguments necessary to create a record sufficient to support, defend or appeal the decision of the judge regarding noncompliance with the act or this chapter and the imposition of penalties.

(g) A party complaining of a violation of the act or this chapter shall have the burden of proving the violation.

(h) The judge, in a separate order prior to a final order or in conjunction with the final decision in the proceeding, will rule on the request for penalties and will determine whether noncompliance with the act or this chapter exists, and, if appropriate, impose penalties.

(i) Subsections (a)-(h) supersede 1 Pa. Code §§ 35.1, 35.2, 35.5-35.7, 35.9-35.11, 35.14, 35.17-35.20, 35.23, 35.24, 35.35-35.41, 35.54, 35.55 and 35.251 and also supersede 1 Pa. Code Chapter 35, Subchapter D.