Texas Regulations 276.1

The following words and terms when used in this chapter shall have the following meaning, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

(1) Office of Injured Employee Counsel (OIEC): An independent state agency created by the 79th Texas Legislature, Regular Session, 2005, to represent the interests of injured employees in the workers' compensation system.

(2) Ombudsman: A specially trained employee of the Office of Injured Employee Counsel (OIEC) who assists injured employees with disputes in the workers' compensation system. An ombudsman shall have a workers' compensation adjuster's license and complete a comprehensive training program designed specifically for OIEC ombudsmen. An ombudsman shall assist injured employees with benefit review conferences, contested case hearings, preparation of appeals, and other matters in the workers' compensation system.

The provisions of &#167 276.1. are adopted to be effective December 20, 2006, 31 TexReg 8616