Workers' compensation judges; creation; tenure; qualification; presiding officer; rules and regulations; hearings; assistant secretary

A. There is hereby created workers' compensation judge positions comprised of at least ten judges within the office of workers' compensation administration. B. A workers' compensation judge, or ad hoc officer presiding over a workers' compensation adjudicatory hearing, shall have been licensed and actively engaged in the practice of the law in the state for not less than five years, and following employment as a workers' compensation judge shall not practice workers' compensation law while so employed. Any temporary ad hoc officers appointed or designated by the commission to preside over a workers' compensation adjudicatory hearing shall meet the same eligibility requirements and shall comply with the same provisions of civil service for appointment, retention, or reappointment as are required for workers' compensation judges authorized under this Section. C. The assistant secretary shall have the authority to adopt reasonable rules and regulations, including the rules of procedure before the workers' compensation judges, according to the procedures established by the Administrative Procedure Act. All rules and regulations, properly approved and promulgated under the Administrative Procedure Act, shall be consistent with the Workers' Compensation Law and shall be binding in the administration of that law. D. A workers' compensation judge shall be appointed by the assistant secretary of the office of worker's compensation in accordance with all applicable civil service laws, rules, and regulations for a five-year term. He shall be subject to removal by the secretary during his term of employment for cause. A workers' compensation judge may be appointed for additional terms of five years but must reapply in the same manner as new applicants. Acts 1983, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 1, §1, eff. July 1, 1983; Acts 1985, No. 926, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986; Acts 1988, No. 938, §1, eff. July 1, 1989; Acts 1989, No. 23, §1, eff. June 15, 1989; Acts 1989, No. 43, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1990; Acts 1989, No. 260, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1990; Acts 1991, No. 849, §1; Acts 1991, No. 892, §1; Acts 1995, No. 348, §1, eff. June 16, 1995; Acts 1997, No. 88, §1, eff. June 11, 1997; Acts 1999, No. 78, §1; Acts 2001, No. 1014, §1, eff. June 27, 2001. {{NOTE: ACTS 1991, NO. 849, §2 PROVIDED THAT R.S. 23:1310.1(D) SHALL NOT BE APPLICABLE TO ANY ADMINISTRATIVE HEARING OFFICER APPOINTED PRIOR TO SEPTEMBER 6, 1991.}}