(a) The Labor Commissioner may, upon the request of a claimant financially unable to afford counsel, represent such claimant in the de novo proceedings provided for in Section 98.2, notwithstanding whether such proceedings are held in a judicial or arbitral forum. In the event that such claimant is attempting to uphold the amount awarded by the Labor Commissioner and is not objecting to any part of the Labor Commissioner’s final order, the Labor Commissioner shall represent the claimant.

(b) A wage claimant unable to have their claim adjudicated and decided by the Labor Commissioner under Sections 98 and 98.1 as the result of entry of a court order compelling arbitration may request that the Labor Commissioner represent the claimant in the arbitral proceeding. The Labor Commissioner shall represent the claimant in the arbitral proceeding if the claimant is financially unable to afford counsel, and if the Labor Commissioner determines, upon conclusion of an informal investigation, that the claim has merit.

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(c) A petition to compel arbitration of a claim that is pending under Section 98, 98.1 or 98.2 shall be served on the Labor Commissioner. Upon request of a claimant, the Labor Commissioner shall have the right to represent the claimant in proceedings to determine the enforceability of the arbitration agreement, notwithstanding whether the adjudication of the enforceability of the arbitration agreement is conducted in a judicial or arbitral forum.

(Amended by Stats. 2020, Ch. 239, Sec. 1. (SB 1384) Effective January 1, 2021.)