By: Turner S.B. No. 1185
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
1-1 relating to inclusion of a psychologist on the medical advisory
1-2 committee appointed by the Texas Workers Compensation Commission
1-3 and the treatment of mental trauma injuries by a psychologist under
1-4 the Texas workers compensation system; and declaring an emergency.
1-5 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
1-6 SECTION 1. Section 401.011, Subdivision (42) Labor Code, is
1-7 amended to read as follows:
1-8 (42) "Treating doctor" means the doctor who is primarily
1-9 responsible for the employee's health care for an injury.
1-10 Additionally, where the only condition requiring health care under
1-11 this subtitle is a compensable mental trauma injury, "treating
1-12 doctor" also means a licensed psychologist.
1-13 SECTION 2. Section 413.005, Subsection (b), Labor Code, is
1-14 amended to read as follows:
1-15 (b) The medical advisory committee is composed of members
1-16 appointed by the commission as follows:
1-17 (1) a representative of a public health care facility;
1-18 (2) a representative of a private health care
1-19 facility;
1-20 (3) a doctor of medicine;
1-21 (4) a doctor of osteopathic medicine;
1-22 (5) a chiropractor;
1-23 (6) a dentist;
2-1 (7) a physical therapist;
2-2 (8) a pharmacist;
2-3 (9) a podiatrist;
2-4 (10) a psychologist;
2-5 <(10)> (11) an occupational therapist;
2-6 <(11)> (12) a medical equipment supplier;
2-7 <(12)> (13) a registered nurse;
2-8 <(13)> (14) a representative of employers;
2-9 <(14)> (15) a representative of employees; and
2-10 <(15)> (16) two representatives of the general public.
2-11 (c) Each member of the medical advisory committee must be
2-12 knowledgeable and qualified regarding work-related injuries and
2-13 diseases.
2-14 (d) The commission shall designate the presiding officer of
2-15 the medical advisory committee.
2-16 (e) The medical advisory committee shall meet at the call of
2-17 its presiding officer or at the call of a majority of the
2-18 committee.
2-19 SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 1995.
2-20 SECTION 4. EMERGENCY CLAUSE. The importance of this
2-21 legislation and the crowded condition of the calendars in both
2-22 houses create an emergency and an imperative public necessity that
2-23 the constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several
2-24 days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended.