Sec. 1. 39-A MRSA §304, sub-§1, as enacted by PL 1991, c. 885, Pt. A, §8, and affected by §§9 to 11, is amended to read:

1. Inform employee. Immediately upon receipt of the employer's report of injury required by section 303, the board shall contact the employee and provide information explaining the compensation system and the employee's rights. The board shall advise the employee how to contact the board for further assistance via a telephone number that is staffed during business hours and shall provide that assistance. The assistance includes giving information, clarifying information and support through the claim process.

Sec. 2. 39-A MRSA §313, sub-§1, as amended by PL 1999, c. 354, §7, is further amended to read:

1. Procedure. Except as provided in section 205, subsection 9, paragraph D, upon filing of notice of controversy or other indication of controversy, the matter must be referred by the board to mediation, which must be held within 7 days upon receipt of the notice.__Notice of the mediation to the parties or to the attorney of record for each party must be given no less than 3 days before the mediation occurs.

Sec. 3. 39-A MRSA §313, sub-§3, as enacted by PL 1991, c. 885, Pt. A, §8 and affected by §§9 to 11, is amended to read:

3. Conclusion. At the conclusion of mediation, the mediator shall file a written report with within 7 days to the board stating the information required by section 305, 2nd paragraph and the legal issues in dispute. If an agreement is reached, the report must state the terms of the agreement and must be signed by the parties and the mediator. If a full agreement is not reached, the report must state the information required by section 305, 2nd paragraph, any terms that are agreed on by the parties and any facts and legal issues in dispute and the report must be signed by the parties and the mediator.

Sec. 4. 39-A MRSA §315, first ¶, as enacted by PL 1991, c. 885, Pt. A, §8 and affected by §§9 to 11, is amended to read:

Upon filing of the mediator's report indicating that mediation has not resolved all issues in dispute, the matter must be referred to the board, which shall fix a time for hold a hearing within 7 days of receipt of the report upon at least a 5-day 3- day notice given to all the parties or to the attorney of record of each party. All hearings must be held before a hearing