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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