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.

The provisions of this 276.1 adopted to be effective December 20, 2006, 31 TexReg 10098; amended to be effective June 16, 2022, 47 TexReg 3485.