(a) The board by rule shall establish guidelines for an informal settlement conference related to a complaint filed with the board regarding conduct regulated under this chapter.
(b) Subject to Subsection (c), the board may order a person licensed or registered under this chapter to pay restitution to a consumer as provided in an agreement resulting from an informal settlement conference instead of or in addition to assessing an administrative penalty under Subchapter K, Chapter 1001.

Terms Used In Texas Occupations Code 1071.4035

  • Complaint: A written statement by the plaintiff stating the wrongs allegedly committed by the defendant.
  • Damages: Money paid by defendants to successful plaintiffs in civil cases to compensate the plaintiffs for their injuries.
  • Person: includes corporation, organization, government or governmental subdivision or agency, business trust, estate, trust, partnership, association, and any other legal entity. See Texas Government Code 311.005
  • Restitution: The court-ordered payment of money by the defendant to the victim for damages caused by the criminal action.
  • Rule: includes regulation. See Texas Government Code 311.005
  • Settlement: Parties to a lawsuit resolve their difference without having a trial. Settlements often involve the payment of compensation by one party in satisfaction of the other party's claims.

(c) The amount of restitution ordered as provided in an agreement resulting from an informal settlement conference may not exceed the amount the consumer paid to the person for a service regulated by this chapter. The board may not require payment of other damages or estimate harm in a restitution order.