1. Except as otherwise provided in this section, vocational rehabilitation services must not be provided outside of this State.

2. An injured employee who:

(a) Resides outside of this State, within 50 miles from any border of this State, on the date of injury; or

(b) Was injured while temporarily employed in this State by an employer subject to the provisions of chapters 616A to 617, inclusive, of NRS who can demonstrate that, on the date of injury, his or her permanent residence was outside of this State,

may receive vocational rehabilitation services at a location within 50 miles from his or her residence if such services are available at such a location.

3. An injured employee who:

(a) Is eligible for vocational rehabilitation services pursuant to NRS 616C.590; and

(b) Resides outside of this State but does not qualify to receive vocational rehabilitation services outside of this State pursuant to subsection 2,

may execute a written agreement with the insurer which provides for the payment of compensation in a lump sum in lieu of the provision of vocational rehabilitation services pursuant to NRS 616C.595. The amount of the lump sum must not exceed $20,000.

4. An injured employee who resides outside of this State but does not qualify to receive vocational rehabilitation services outside of this State pursuant to subsection 2 may receive the vocational rehabilitation services to which the injured employee is entitled pursuant to NRS 616C.545 to 616C.575, inclusive, and 616C.590 if the injured employee relocates to:

(a) This State; or

(b) A location within 50 miles from any border of this State,

at his or her own expense, if such services are available at such a location.

5. An injured employee who resides in this State may receive vocational rehabilitation services outside of this State at a location within 50 miles from the residence of the injured employee if such services are available at such a location. An insurer may not unreasonably deny a request made by an injured employee pursuant to this subsection to receive vocational rehabilitation services outside of this State.

6. An injured employee may receive vocational rehabilitation services in any state that borders this State if the injured employee demonstrates that the services are available in a more cost-effective manner than are available in this State. Any vocational rehabilitation services provided pursuant to this subsection must be monitored by a vocational rehabilitation counselor in this State.

(Added to NRS by 1993, 668; A 1999, 1795; 2001, 1902; 2005, 209; 2007, 3361)