(a) No claims or payments due for compensation under chapters 29 — 38 of this title or under any alternative scheme permitted by §§ 28-29-22 — 28-29-24 shall be assignable, or subject to attachment, or liable in any way for any debts, except as set forth in subsection (b) of this section.
(b) A lien in favor of the department of labor and training and/or the executive office of health and human services shall attach by operation of law to any benefits due and payable under chapters 29 — 38 of this title, or under any alternative scheme by §§ 28-29-22 — 28-29-24, to the extent that those payments have been made by the department of labor and training and/or the executive office of health and human services to or on behalf of an injured employee or his or her dependents, but only to the extent that the employee would be entitled to receive benefits under the provision of these chapters. Any such lien is subject to the provisions of § 40-6-10.