(a) In any action for which a petition has been filed under this act, the parties by joint agreement may file a notice of request with the department for an informal conference pursuant to this act. The department shall assign the matter to a workers' compensation judge or hearing officer for an informal conference. Unless the parties jointly agree to a time extension, all proceedings within an informal conference shall be completed within thirty-five days of the filing of the request for informal conference. Joint agreement to a time extension shall stay the adjudication proceedings for the time agreed upon.

(b) At any informal conference held pursuant to this section:

(c) The workers' compensation judge or hearing officer shall attempt to resolve the issues in dispute between the parties, but in no event shall any recommendations or findings made by the workers' compensation judge or hearing officer be binding upon the parties unless accepted in writing by both parties. If the parties come to agreement, the workers' compensation judge or hearing officer shall reduce such agreement to writing, which shall be signed by all parties and filed with the department.

(d) In the event that the parties cannot resolve their dispute, the petition will be reassigned to a different workers' compensation judge for adjudication of the dispute, or, by joint agreement of the parties, the workers' compensation judge who was originally assigned the matter will proceed with the adjudication of the petition.

(e) The information provided at the informal conference does not constitute established evidence for any subsequent proceeding on the petition.

(f) No workers' compensation judge or hearing officer who participates in an informal conference conducted pursuant to this section shall be compelled or permitted to testify about any matter discussed or revealed during such proceedings in any other proceeding pursuant to this act, except matters involving fraud.