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Senate Bill 22 |
Senate Author: Springer et al. |
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Effective: 6-14-21 |
House Sponsor: Patterson et al. |
Senate Bill 22 amends the Government Code to prescribe the conditions under which a detention officer, custodial officer, firefighter, peace officer, or emergency medical technician who suffers from SARS‑CoV‑2 or COVID‑19 that results in death or total or partial disability is presumed to have contracted the virus or disease during the course and scope of the individual's employment for purposes of benefits or compensation that the individual or their spouse may be entitled to receive. This presumption is rebuttable in the same manner as other presumptions relating to diseases or illnesses suffered by public safety employees, but a rebuttal may not be based solely on evidence relating to the risk of exposure to SARS‑CoV‑2 or COVID‑19 of a person with whom a qualified individual resides.
Senate Bill 22 amends the Labor Code to authorize an injured employee who is subject to the presumption regarding SARS‑CoV‑2 or COVID‑19 and whose claim for workers' compensation benefits is determined to be compensable by an insurance carrier or the workers' compensation division to request reimbursement for health care paid by the employee, including copayments and partial payments, by submitting to the carrier a written request and documentation showing the amounts paid to the health care provider. The bill provides a deadline by which the carrier must provide reimbursement or deny the request and authorizes an employee whose request is denied to seek medical dispute resolution. The bill establishes procedures for the reprocessing of a claim for benefits related to SARS‑CoV‑2 or COVID‑19 that was denied before the bill's effective date. The bill's provisions expire September 1, 2023.