(a) All claims for compensation under the workers compensation act against any state agency for claims arising on and after July 1, 1974, and claims for compensation remaining from the self-insurance program which existed prior to July 1, 1974, for institutional employees of the commission of community services and programs of the Kansas department for aging and disability services shall be made against the state workers compensation self-insurance fund. Such claims shall be served upon the secretary of health and environment in the secretary’s capacity as administrator of the state workers compensation self-insurance fund in the manner provided for claims against other employers under the workers compensation act. The chief attorney for the department of health and environment, or another attorney of the department of health and environment designated by the chief attorney, shall represent and defend the state workers compensation self-insurance fund in all proceedings under the workers compensation act.

(b) The secretary of health and environment shall investigate, or cause to be investigated, each claim for compensation against the state workers compensation self-insurance fund. For the purposes of such investigations, the secretary of health and environment is authorized to obtain expert medical advice regarding the injuries, occupational diseases and disabilities involved in such claims. If, based upon such investigation and any other available information, the secretary of health and environment finds that there is no material dispute as to any issue involved in the claim, that the claim is valid and that the claim should be settled by agreement, the secretary of health and environment may proceed to enter into such an agreement with the claimant, for the state workers compensation self-insurance fund. Any such agreement may provide for lump-sum settlements subject to approval by the director and all such agreements shall be filed in the office of the director for approval as provided in Kan. Stat. Ann. § 44-527, and amendments thereto. All other claims for compensation against such fund shall be paid in accordance with the workers compensation act pursuant to final awards or orders of an administrative law judge or the board or pursuant to orders and findings of the director under the workers compensation act.

(c) For purposes of the workers compensation act, a volunteer member of a regional emergency medical response team as provided in Kan. Stat. Ann. § 48-928, and amendments thereto, shall be considered a person in the service of the state in connection with authorized training and upon activation for emergency response, except when such duties arise in the course of employment or as a volunteer for an employer other than the state.