(a) There is hereby created within the Department of Labor the full-time position of hearing officer. With respect to cases arising under Part II of this title, the hearing officers shall have:

(1) All powers and duties conferred or imposed upon such hearing officers by law or by the Rules of Procedure for the Industrial Accident Board;

(2) The power to administer oaths and affirmations;

(3) The power, with consent of the parties, to hear and determine any prehearing matter pending before the Board. In such circumstances, the hearing officer’s decision has the same authority as a decision of the Board and is subject to judicial review on the same basis as a decision of the Board;

(4) The power, with consent of the parties, to conduct hearings, including any evidentiary hearings required by Part II of this title, and to issue a final decision determining the outcome of such hearings. In such circumstances, the hearing officer’s decision has the same authority as a decision of the Board and is subject to judicial review on the same basis as a decision of the Board;

(5) The hearing officer shall have the responsibility for advising the Board regarding legal issues and writing the Board’s decision with respect to any hearing conducted by the Board at which such hearing officer has been assigned by the Department. The hearing officer shall not participate in the deliberations of the Board with respect to the determination of matters before the Board or vote on any matter to be decided by the Board, but may be present during such deliberations for the purpose of providing legal advice;

(6) With respect to any matter to which they are assigned responsibility in accordance with Part II of this title, the same authority as the Board would have to conduct or dispose of such matter in accordance with Part II of this title and the Board’s Rules of Procedure. In such circumstances, any reference in Part II of this title or the Board’s Rules of Procedure to the Board shall also refer to the hearing officer when such hearing officer is assigned responsibility in accordance with Part II of this title.

(b) Hearing officers shall be appointed by the Secretary of Labor and shall serve for a term of 5 years; provided however, that the initial hearing officers may be appointed to terms shorter than 5 years, but not less than 3 years, to ensure staggered term expirations. Appointees shall be residents of the State, shall be duly admitted to practice law before the Supreme Court of this State and shall not engage in the practice of law nor any business, occupation or employment inconsistent with the expeditious, proper and impartial performance of their duties. The number of hearing officers from 1 major political party shall not exceed a majority of 1. Individuals appointed as hearing officers under this section shall take the oath or affirmation prescribed by article XIV, § 1 of the Delaware Constitution before they enter upon the duties of their office.

(c) Hearing officers shall report to and be supervised by a chief hearing officer, who shall be designated by the Secretary of Labor. Reappointments shall be at the discretion of the Secretary of Labor. The salary of a hearing officer shall not be reduced during the term being served below the salary fixed at the beginning of that term.

(d) The removal of a hearing officer by the Secretary of Labor, after consultation with the Chairperson of the Board, during the term of appointment may be made for just cause. For the purposes of this subsection only, “just cause” shall be defined as including, but not limited to, reduction in force, inefficiency or unsatisfactory performance of duties. The employee may contest the removal and file for binding arbitration and an arbitrator will be appointed jointly by the Chairperson of the Merit Employees Relations Board and the Secretary of the Department of Human Resources to determine the matter.

Code 1915, § 3193w; 29 Del. Laws, c. 233; Code 1935, § 6093; 19 Del. C. 1953, §§ 2122; 70 Del. Laws, c. 172, § 2; 71 Del. Laws, c. 84, § 2; 75 Del. Laws, c. 88, § 20(5); 81 Del. Laws, c. 66, § 20.