(a) As used in this section, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

(1) ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE (ALJ). An independent third-party hearing officer appointed by the Chief Administrative Law Judge of the Administrative Law Judge Division (Central Panel) of the office of the Attorney General.

(2) AGENCY. A department, board, bureau, commission, agency, or office of the State of Alabama.

(3) STATE EMPLOYEE. A permanent, non-probationary employee, whether in the classified or unclassified service of the State of Alabama, including, but not limited to, employees of the Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation.

(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, a state employee may specifically request that an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) or the State Employee Injury Compensation Trust Fund Review Board hear and decide any employee dispute related to State Employee Injury Compensation Trust Fund entitlements. The request by the employee must be made in writing to the State Employee Injury Compensation Trust Fund Review Board. If the employee requests that an ALJ hear and decide the dispute, the State Employee Injury Compensation Trust Fund shall provide a copy of the employee's request to the Administrative Law Judge Division (Central Panel) of the Office of the Attorney General within 10 business days. The request of the employee regarding the hearing must be made within 60 days of the date of the original notification of the State Employee Injury Compensation Trust Fund decision related to the employee's claim for entitlements. The ALJ shall notify the employee and the State Employee Injury Compensation Trust Fund of the hearing in writing. Said hearing date shall be set within 10 business days of notification and shall be conducted within 90 calendar days unless the ALJ approves a request from the employee or the State Employee Injury Compensation Trust Fund to delay the hearing date. The presentations at the hearing shall follow accepted legal procedures insofar as is practical but shall not be restricted by formal legal rules of evidence and procedure. In all matters involving the employee's claim for entitlements, due process shall be strictly adhered to. Hearings involving the employee's claim for entitlements shall be held in accordance with the provisions of the Alabama Administrative Procedure Act. At no expense to the State Employee Injury Compensation Trust Fund or the employee's agency, the employee shall have the right to be represented at the hearing by an attorney or other employee representative. The ALJ shall hear and decide claims for entitlements as stated herein at a rate of not less than $85.00 per hour which shall be paid by the relevant state agency. The rate shall not exceed the normal hourly rate authorized by the Governor for legal services contracts. The decision rendered by the ALJ or the State Employee Injury Compensation Trust Fund Review Board shall be within 60 days of the employee's written request for review unless the ALJ approves a request from the employee or the State Employee Injury Compensation Trust Fund to delay the hearing date. The decision may be appealed to the Circuit Court of Montgomery County.