On request of a party or on its own motion the board may in occupational disease cases appoint one or more competent and impartial physicians. Upon order of the board, the fees and expenses of the health care provider or health care providers must be paid by the employer. These appointees shall examine the employee and inspect the industrial conditions under which the employee has worked in order to determine the nature, extent and probable duration of the occupational disease, the likelihood of its origin in the industry and the date of incapacity. Section 207 applies to the filing and subsequent proceedings on the report of the appointees and to examinations and treatments by the employer. [PL 1991, c. 885, Pt. A, §8 (NEW); PL 1991, c. 885, Pt. A, §§9-11 (AFF).]

If a claim is made for death from an occupational disease, an autopsy may be ordered by the board under the supervision of impartial appointees. All proceedings for or payments of compensation to any claimant refusing to permit such an autopsy when ordered are suspended on and during the continuance of such a refusal. [PL 1991, c. 885, Pt. A, §8 (NEW); PL 1991, c. 885, Pt. A, §§9-11 (AFF).]