BILL ANALYSIS



H.B. 1144
By: Harris, Jack
3-28-95
Committee Report (Unamended)


BACKGROUND

Public entities (such as cities, counties, school districts, water
districts,etc.) are required by law to provide workers'
compensation coverage for their employees.  Many political
subdivisions also provide coverage for their volunteer fire
fighters, police officers, emergency medical personnel and other
volunteer personnel.

There are currently 17,082 active EMS professionals certified in
Texas.  Additionally, there are 11,011 EMS volunteers.  In many
rural areas of Texas, EMS volunteers provide the only access to
medical care.

EMS workers are constantly placing themselves at risk in the line
of duty.  They are exposed to a high incidence of traffic and
roadside injury.  For example in 1991, there were 226 ambulance
crashes, injuring more than 200 individuals.  Also, EMS
professionals provide medical assistance to individuals without the
benefit of medical histories, providing possible exposure to HIV
and other debilitating viruses and conditions.

The costs associated with adding EMS personnel to a municipality's
workers' compensation plan are minimal.  One insurance company
which services approximately 450 of these workers' compensation
insurance policies, claims it would cost about $18 per month per
person to add EMS volunteers to existing policies.

PURPOSE

This bill requires political subdivisions to extend workers'
compensation coverage to volunteer emergency medical personnel, if
they decide to provide the same coverage to volunteer fire fighters
and police officers.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly
grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer,
department, agency or institution.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

     SECTION 1. Amends Section 504.012 (a) Labor Code. This section
requires public     entities to include volunteer emergency medical
personnel in their workers' compensation coverage if the entity
also provides coverage to volunteer fire fighters and police
officers.

     SECTION 2. Effective date, September 1, 1995

     SECTION 3. Emergency clause. 

SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE ACTION

House Bill 1144 was considered in a public hearing on March 28,
1995.  Testifying on the bill was Laurie Crumpton, representing The
Legislative Oversight Committee on Workers' Compensation.  A motion
to report H.B. 1144 without amendments, to the full house with the
recommendation that it do pass and be printed carried with a record
voted of 9 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present-not-voting, and 0 absent.