(1) If a member who is a police officer or a firefighter requests a contested case hearing to dispute a final denial of an application for a disability retirement allowance under ORS 238.320, the Public Employees Retirement Board shall ensure that the contested case is referred for a hearing no later than 180 days after the member requests the hearing, or, if the member requests an extension, no later than 360 days after the member requests the hearing.
(2) If the case is not referred for a hearing within the time provided in this section, the member prevails in disputing the final denial of the application under ORS 238.320.
(Use of Leave to Increase Retirement Allowance)