(October 18, 2016, 1:41 PM EDT) -- WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Labor and a major western lumber producer on Sept. 26 settled claims that the employer failed to comply with Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) and Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) benefit requirements.

After an investigation, the DOL concluded that Sierra Pacific Industries Health Benefits Plan was treating its health plan as grandfathered from current ACA requirements, according to a press release from the agency.  The ACA permits older, grandfathered plans to avoid compliance with the law’s...