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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to conducting certain contested case hearings under the |
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Texas workers' compensation system by videoconference. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 410.005(a), Labor Code, is amended to |
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read as follows: |
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(a) A [Unless the division determines that good cause |
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exists for the selection of a different location, a] contested case |
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hearing may not be conducted at a site more than 75 miles from the |
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claimant's residence at the time of the injury unless: |
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(1) the division determines that good cause exists for |
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the selection of a different location; or |
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(2) the contested case hearing is conducted by |
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videoconference as provided by Section 410.0055. |
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SECTION 2. Subchapter A, Chapter 410, Labor Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 410.0055 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 410.0055. CONDUCTING CERTAIN CONTESTED CASE HEARINGS |
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BY VIDEOCONFERENCE. (a) In this section, "custodial officer," |
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"detention officer," "emergency medical technician," |
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"firefighter," and "peace officer" have the meanings assigned by |
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Section 607.051, Government Code. |
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(b) The division shall conduct a contested case hearing by |
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videoconference on request of: |
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(1) the claimant, if: |
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(A) the claim relates to an injury incurred by |
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the claimant in the course and scope of the claimant's employment or |
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volunteer service as a custodial officer, detention officer, |
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emergency medical technician, firefighter, or peace officer; or |
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(B) the claimant resides more than 75 miles from |
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the hearing site at the time of the hearing; or |
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(2) the insurance carrier, if the insurance carrier |
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is: |
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(A) the State Office of Risk Management; |
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(B) The Texas A&M University System; |
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(C) the Texas Department of Transportation; or |
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(D) The University of Texas System. |
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SECTION 3. The changes in law made by this Act apply only to |
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a contested case hearing requested on or after the effective date of |
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this Act. A contested case hearing requested before the effective |
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date of this Act is governed by the law in effect on the date the |
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contested case hearing was requested, and the former law is |
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continued in effect for that purpose. |
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SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025. |