The bill aims to amend and clarify the provisions related to filing claims for occupational pneumoconiosis under the Code of West Virginia. Specifically, it states that the time limitations for filing such claims do not restrict a claimant's ability to obtain an evaluation from the Occupational Pneumoconiosis Board. The bill modifies existing language to ensure that the timeframes for filing claims do not apply to evaluations, thereby providing claimants with more flexibility in seeking necessary assessments.

In the proposed changes, the language "hence" is replaced with "therefore," and the bill introduces a new provision stating, "Provided, That nothing in this section may limit the time within which a claimant may obtain an evaluation from the Occupational Pneumoconiosis Board nor limit the applicability of 23-4-8c of this code." This amendment is intended to protect the rights of claimants and ensure they can pursue evaluations without being constrained by the filing deadlines that apply to compensation claims.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 23-4-15