Final answer:
In Texas, the Texas Department of Insurance's Division of Workers' Compensation (DWC) is the main entity responsible for regulating workers' compensation. Other bodies, such as the Texas Workforce Commission and the Texas Railroad Commission, also have regulatory roles that can indirectly affect workers' compensation.
Step-by-step explanation:
Regulatory Entities for Workers' Compensation in Texas
In Texas, workers' compensation is regulated by a number of entities. The primary regulatory body is the Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers' Compensation (DWC). This agency is responsible for overseeing the state's workers' compensation system, which provides medical benefits and income benefits to employees injured on the job. The DWC also handles the regulation of workers' compensation insurers, ensures compliance with the law, provides dispute resolution services, and maintains the data and records associated with workers' compensation claims.
Besides the DWC, other entities have indirect roles in the regulation of workers’ compensation. For example, the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) plays a part in handling issues such as Unemployment Insurance and employer compliance with labor laws, which can intersect with workers' compensation matters. Additionally, the state has elected officials who contribute to the regulatory framework, such as the commissioner of the Department of Agriculture and the three commissioners of the Texas Railroad Commission, which has jurisdiction over certain public utilities, transportation, oil, and gas industry regulations that can impact workers' compensation indirectly. While the question specifically inquires about the number of regulatory entities, it's important to understand that workers' compensation in Texas is principally governed by the DWC, and other state departments or elected officials may interact with or influence workers' compensation through their respective regulatory capacities.