Maine § 39-A §153-A Advocate program

Maine Statutes

§ 39-A §153-A — Advocate program

Maine·Title 39-A WORKERS' COMPENSATION·Part 1 MAINE WORKERS' COMPENSATION ACT OF 1992·Ch. 3 WORKERS' COMPENSATION BOARD

1.Advocate program established. The board shall establish an advocate program to provide assistance to qualified employees who proceed to mediation and formal hearing.

2.Qualified employee. For purposes of this section, "qualified employee" means an employee who, with respect to an injury occurring on or after January 1, 1993, has participated in the troubleshooter program and has not informally resolved the dispute and has demonstrated to the board that legal counsel has not been retained.

3.Advocates and advocate attorneys. The executive director shall hire advocates and advocate attorneys under the authority of section 151, subsection 1‑A, subject to the Civil Service Law, who must be qualified by experience and training.

4.Duties of advocates and advocate attorneys. Advocates and a

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1.
Advocate program established.
The board shall establish an advocate program to provide assistance to qualified employees who proceed to mediation and formal hearing.
2.
Qualified employee.
For purposes of this section, "qualified employee" means an employee who, with respect to an injury occurring on or after January 1, 1993, has participated in the troubleshooter program and has not informally resolved the dispute and has demonstrated to the board that legal counsel has not been retained.
3.
Advocates and advocate attorneys.
The executive director shall hire advocates and advocate attorneys under the authority of section 151, subsection 1‑A, subject to the Civil Service Law, who must be qualified by experience and training.
4.
Duties of advocates and advocate attorneys.
Advocates and advocate attorneys have the following duties:
5.
Legal advice to advocates and advocate attorneys.
The board's general counsel shall assign a staff attorney as necessary to advise advocates and, as necessary, advocate attorneys on the preparation of qualified employees' cases at the formal hearing stage.
6.
Case management authority of advocates and advocate attorneys.
An advocate or advocate attorney has the authority to:
7.
Rulemaking.
In addition to the case management authority established in subsection 6, the board may establish by rule additional reasons for which the advocates may decline or cease assistance on cases. Rules adopted pursuant to this section are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter II-A.