(a) No individual claiming benefits shall be charged fees or costs of any kind in any proceeding under this chapter by the Board of Review, the Director of the Division of Workforce Services, or his or her or its representatives, or by any court or any officer thereof, except that, if the court determines that the proceedings for judicial review have been instituted or continued without reasonable grounds, it may assess costs against the claimant or employer instituting or continuing the proceedings.
(b)
(1) Any individual claiming benefits in any proceeding before the director or the board or his or her or its representatives or a court may be represented by counsel or other duly authorized agent.
(2) No counsel or agents shall either charge or receive an aggregate amount of more than five hundred dollars ($500) for services rendered at the administrative appeal levels before the appeal tribunal or the board.
(c) Any person who violates any provision of this section shall, for each offense, be fined not less than fifty dollars ($50.00) nor more than five hundred dollars ($500) or imprisoned for not more than six (6) months, or both.