A. On application and motion of a person showing an agreement to arbitrate and alleging another person's refusal to arbitrate under the agreement:

1. If the refusing party does not appear or does not oppose the motion, the Workers' Compensation Commission shall order the parties to arbitrate; and

2. If the refusing party opposes the motion, the Commission shall proceed summarily to decide the issue and order the parties to arbitrate unless it finds that there is no enforceable agreement to arbitrate. The Commission may also assess costs against the party opposing the motion if it concludes the opposition was not brought in good faith to be deposited in the Workers' Compensation Commission Revolving Fund created in Section 28.1 of this title.

B. On motion of a person alleging that an arbitration proceeding has been initiated or threatened but that there is no agreement to arbitrate, the Commission shall proceed summarily to decide the issue. If the Commission finds that there is an enforceable agreement to arbitrate, it shall order the parties to arbitrate. The Commission may also assess costs against the party opposing the motion if the Commission concludes the opposition was not brought in good faith to be deposited in the Workers' Compensation Fund created by the Administrative Workers' Compensation Act.

C. If the Commission finds that the parties have not entered into an enforceable arbitration agreement, the dispute shall be resolved under the Administrative Workers' Compensation Act.

D. If an action is initiated in district court to determine whether an enforceable arbitration agreement exists, on motion by the responding party, that proceeding shall be transferred to the Commission for determination.

E. If a party challenges the enforceability of an arbitration agreement, the underlying claim, including all benefits, shall be stayed until the Commission determines whether an enforceable arbitration agreement exists.

Added by Laws 2013, c. 208, § 128, eff. Feb. 1, 2014. Amended by Laws 2019, c. 476, § 45, emerg. eff. May 28, 2019.