By: Zaffirini  S.B. No. 1497
         (In the Senate - Filed March 8, 2017; March 20, 2017, read
  first time and referred to Committee on Business & Commerce;
  April 18, 2017, reported favorably by the following vote:  Yeas 9,
  Nays 0; April 18, 2017, sent to printer.)
Click here to see the committee vote
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
 
  relating to the eligibility requirements for employment as an
  ombudsman of the Office of Injured Employee Counsel under the Texas
  Workers' Compensation Act.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 404.152(b), Labor Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         (b)  To be eligible for designation as an ombudsman, a person
  must:
               (1)  demonstrate satisfactory knowledge of the
  requirements of:
                     (A)  this subtitle and the provisions of Subtitle
  C that relate to claims management;
                     (B)  other laws relating to workers'
  compensation; and
                     (C)  rules adopted under this subtitle and the
  laws described under Subdivision (1)(B);
               (2)  have demonstrated experience in handling and
  resolving problems for the general public; and
               (3)  possess strong interpersonal skills[; and
               [(4) have at least one year of demonstrated experience
  in the field of workers' compensation].
         SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
  a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
  provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
  Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
  Act takes effect September 1, 2017.
 
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