Waivers by employee invalid

39-71-409 . Waivers by employee invalid. (1) An agreement by an employee to waive any rights under this chapter is not valid. (2) (a) A person who possesses and is working under a current independent contractor exemption certificate issued by the department waives all rights and benefits of the Workers' Compensation Act unless the person elects coverage pursuant to 39-71-401 (3)(b). (b) A waiver by reason of an independent contractor exemption certificate is an exception to the general prohibition of waiving the advantage of a statute enacted for a public reason as provided for in 1-3-204 .