(a) All claims for compensation as provided in this article shall be presented to the awarding authority within two years from the date of the death of the peace officer, firefighter, or rescue squad member or the claims are forfeited. All such claims shall be presented in the form prescribed by the awarding authority, and proof of the facts and circumstances of the peace officer's, firefighter's, or rescue squad member's death and, if necessary, the claimant's relationship to and dependence upon such peace officer, firefighter, or rescue squad member shall be made in the manner prescribed by the awarding authority.

(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a), any person who was previously ineligible to claim the compensation provided in this article, but is now eligible to claim the compensation provided in this article because of the enactment of Act 2008-480, and who is making a claim based upon the death of a peace officer or firefighter who died on or after January 1, 2006, but prior to the enactment of Act 2008-480, shall be able to present his or her claim for compensation to the awarding authority within one year of the date of enactment of Act 2008-480 regardless of whether the claim was presented within one year from the date of the death of the peace officer or firefighter.

(c) The awarding authority is hereby authorized to prescribe such forms and adopt such rules of evidence and procedure as it deems necessary or proper, not inconsistent with the provisions of this article, for the proper determination of all claims for compensation under this article.