Sec. 1. 39-A MRSA §320, first ¶, as amended by PL 2003, c. 608, §13, is further amended to read:

Within 5 days after issuing a decision, a A hearing officer may request that the full board review a decision of the hearing officer if the decision involves an issue that is of significance to the operation of the workers' compensation system. Except when a motion is filed to find the facts specially and state separately the conclusions of law, the request must be made within 25 days of the issuance of a decision.__If a motion is filed to find the facts specially and state separately the conclusions of law, the request must be made within 5 days of the issuance of a decision on the motion. There may be no such review of findings of fact made by a hearing officer.

SUMMARY

This bill extends the time within which a hearing officer may request review of a decision by the full Workers' Compensation Board to allow for the filing of motions to find the facts specially and state separately the conclusions of law.