Topic: Advocacy Program
Sponsor: Representative Wendell Byrd (D)
Introduced: October 24, 2017
Status: Enacted December 21, 2017
Effective Date: July 1, 2018
Link to Legislation (legislative history and final version of Act)
ISSUES WITH CURRENT LAW: The commission provides an advocacy program to provide claimants and employers advocacy assistance. However, this is not extended to people accused of fraud.
WHAT THE NEW BILL DOES:
- The new bill allows claimants accused of fraud to participate in the advocacy program.
- If a final determination is made that a claimant or employer committed fraud, then the Agency will recover the cost of the representation from the claimant or employer.
HOW THE NEW BILL HELPS CLAIMANTS:
- Gives claimants accused of fraud access to legal representation, just like any other claimant or employer.