Lawmakers Pass Ombudsman Bill

The Virginia Workers’ Compensation Commission would be allowed to create an ombudsman program to assist unrepresented injured workers, under a bill heading to the desk of Gov. Ralph Northam. The Senate on Feb. 27 voted 40-0 to pass HB 1558, by Del. Terry Kilgore, R-Gate City. The House of Delegates voted 99-0 to pass the bill Feb. 6. HB 1558 would authorize the commission to create an ombudsman program “to provide neutral educational information and assistance to persons who are not represented by an attorney.” The bill would require that the ombudsman be an attorney li...