Sec. 2210.582. OMBUDSMAN PROGRAM. (a) The department shall establish an ombudsman program to provide information and educational programs to assist persons insured under this chapter with the claim processes under this subchapter.

(b) Not later than March 1 of each year, the department shall prepare and submit to the commissioner a budget for the ombudsman program, including approval of all expenditures incurred in administering and operating the program. The commissioner shall adopt or modify and adopt the budget not later than April 1 of the year in which the budget is submitted.

(c) Not later than May 1 of each year, the association shall transfer to the ombudsman program money in an amount equal to the amount of the budget adopted under Subsection (b). The ombudsman program, not later than April 30 of each year, shall return to the association any unexpended funds that the program received from the association in the previous year.

(d) The department shall, not later than 60 days after the date of a catastrophic event, prepare and submit an amended budget to the commissioner for approval and report to the commissioner the approximate number of claimants eligible for ombudsman services. The commissioner shall adopt rules as necessary to implement an amended budget submitted under this section, including rules regarding the transfer of additional money from the association to the program.

(e) The ombudsman program may provide to persons insured under this chapter information and educational programs through:

(1) informational materials;

(2) toll-free telephone numbers;

(3) public meetings;

(4) outreach centers;

(5) the Internet; and

(6) other reasonable means.

(f) The ombudsman program is administratively attached to the department. The department shall provide the staff, services, and facilities necessary for the ombudsman program to operate, including:

(1) administrative assistance and service, including budget planning and purchasing;

(2) personnel services;

(3) office space; and

(4) computer equipment and support.

(g) The ombudsman program shall prepare and make available to each person insured under this chapter information describing the functions of the ombudsman program.

(h) The association, in the manner prescribed by the commissioner by rule, shall notify each person insured under this chapter concerning the operation of the ombudsman program.

(i) The commissioner may adopt rules as necessary to implement this section.

Added by Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., 1st C.S., Ch. 2 (H.B. 3), Sec. 41, eff. September 28, 2011.