If the director finds that any individual falsely certifies the medical condition of any person in order to obtain disability insurance benefits, including family temporary disability insurance benefits, with the intent to defraud, whether for the maker or for any other person, the director shall assess a penalty against the individual in the amount of 25 percent of the benefits paid as a result of the false certification. The provisions of this article, the provisions of Article 9 (commencing with Section 1176) with respect to refunds, and the provisions of Chapter 7 (commencing with Section 1701) with respect to collections shall apply to the assessments provided by this section. Penalties collected under this section shall be deposited in the contingent fund.
(Amended by Stats. 2003, Ch. 797, Sec. 5. Effective January 1, 2004.)