The Ombuds Blog: Texas Legislature Quickly Sets Hearing on Ombuds Shield Law

February 17, 2013

Texas Legislature Quickly Sets Hearing on Ombuds Shield Law

On Monday, February 18, 2013, the 83rd Texas Legislature will hold a public hearing on a strong Ombuds shield law. State Bill 399 would ensure, for the first time, that communications with an Organizational Ombuds are confidential. The bill was read by the Texas Senate for the first time last Wednesday and quickly referred for a first hearing--progress that is markedly faster than the last time a similar bill was considered four years ago.

The bill was introduced by Kelly Hancock (R-North Richland Hills) and is being heard by the Committee on Business & Commerce. (The prior unsuccessful bill was identical, but had a different author and was considered by the Committee on Jurisprudence.) The current legislative effort is being supported by The Ombudsman Shield Coalition, whose officers are Ralph Hasson, Charles L. Howard, William Bedman, and A. Robert Fischer. (SB 399 History via Scout; Full Text; Coalition.)

Related posts Texas Introduces Ombuds Shield Law; UT Student Govt. Backs Texas Legislation; Effort to Pass Shield Law Comes Up Short in Texas.

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Organizational Ombuds

Organizational Ombuds serve as a confidential, independent, neutral and informal dispute resolution resource for a specific entity. They are accessible to a defined population and can advocate for fairness. These unique characteristics distinguish Organizational Ombuds from Classical Ombuds, mediators, arbitrators, and other alternative dispute resolution professionals. The term "Ombuds" is shorthand for "Ombudsman," "Ombudsperson" and "Ombuds Officer," which also are used widely.

Some other variants include:

Austria -- Ombudsstelle

Brazil -- Ouvidor

Croatia -- pravobranitelji

France -- médiateur/defénseur

Germany -- Ombudspersonen

Italy -- difensore

Netherlands -- ombudspersoon

Norway -- ombudet

Poland -- Rzecznik

Portugal -- provedor

Russia -- омбудсмен

Spain -- ombudsman organizacional

Sweden -- studentombud

Switzerland -- ombudsmann

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February 17, 2013

Texas Legislature Quickly Sets Hearing on Ombuds Shield Law

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