A. No individual claiming benefits shall be charged fees of any kind in a proceeding under this chapter by the department or its representatives or by a court or officer thereof.
B. An individual claiming benefits or an employer in a proceeding before the department or a court may be represented by counsel or other duly authorized agent. No such counsel or agent for an individual shall either charge or receive for his services more than an amount approved by the department.
C. Any person who violates any provision of this section is guilty of a class 2 misdemeanor.