From the Texas Tribune: Gov. Greg Abbott names head of new office to investigate higher ed complaints

- Click here for the story.

- Senate Bill 37.

What is an Ombudsman?

From AI Overview: 

An ombudsman is an independent official who investigates complaints against government agencies, businesses, or other organizations. They typically aim to resolve issues through mediation and recommendations, and may work in areas like government services, long-term care facilities, or with specific sectors like financial services or immigration.

What an ombudsman does

Investigates complaints: They look into grievances that individuals or businesses have against an organization or agency.

Acts as a mediator: They help to resolve disputes between parties informally through mediation.

Recommends solutions: They can suggest actions to remedy a complaint or propose changes to administrative practices.

Provides information and advocacy: They can inform people about their rights, help them access services, and advocate for systemic changes.

Examples of specific ombudsman offices

Government: Investigates complaints against government agencies, such as the Office of the Ombudsman for Mental Health and Disability Services.

Long-Term Care: Advocates for residents in nursing homes and assisted living facilities, helps resolve problems, and educates families about their rights, as seen in the Texas Health and Human Services Office of the Ombudsman.

Specific sectors:
Includes offices like the Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS) Ombudsman and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) Ombudsman.

Small Business: Assists small businesses with complaints about excessive or unfair regulatory enforcement from federal agencies.