656.709 Ombudsman for injured workers; ombudsman for small business; duties

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656.709 Ombudsman for injured workers; ombudsman for small business; duties. (1)(a) The Director of the Department of Consumer and Business Services, with the concurrence of the Governor, shall appoint an ombudsman for injured workers. The ombudsman is under the supervision and control of the director and, with the concurrence of the Governor, the director may terminate the ombudsman.

(b)The ombudsman for injured workers shall:

(A)Act as an advocate for injured workers by accepting, investigating and attempting to resolve complaints concerning matters related to workers’ compensation;

(B)Provide information to injured workers to enable them to protect their rights in the workers’ compensation system; and

(C)Report to the Governor in writing at least once each quarter. A report shall include a summary of the services that the ombudsman provided during the quarter and the ombudsman’s recommendations for improving ombudsman services and for protecting workers’ rights in the workers’ compensation system.

(2)(a) The Director of the Department of Consumer and Business Services, with the concurrence of the Governor, shall appoint an ombudsman for small business. The ombudsman is under the supervision and control of the director and, with the concurrence of the Governor, the director may terminate the ombudsman.

(b)The ombudsman for small business shall:

(A)Provide information and assistance to small businesses with regard to workers’ compensation insurance and claims processing matters; and

(B)Report to the Governor in writing at least once each quarter. A report shall include a summary of the services that the ombudsman provided during the quarter and the ombudsman’s recommendations for improving ombudsman services and for providing information and assistance to small businesses with regard to workers’ compensation insurance and claims processing matters. [1987 c.884 §60b; 1990 c.2 §38; 2003 c.591 §16]