1-1 By: Junell, et al. (Senate Sponsor - Duncan) H.B. No. 768 1-2 (In the Senate - Received from the House May 1, 1997; 1-3 May 2, 1997, read first time and referred to Committee on Economic 1-4 Development; May 18, 1997, reported favorably by the following 1-5 vote: Yeas 7, Nays 3; May 18, 1997, sent to printer.) 1-6 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED 1-7 AN ACT 1-8 relating to remedies in an action alleging discrimination against 1-9 an employee based on a claim for workers' compensation benefits. 1-10 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: 1-11 SECTION 1. Section 451.002, Labor Code, is amended by adding 1-12 Subsection (d) to read as follows: 1-13 (d) For purposes of this section only, "reasonable damages" 1-14 does not include damages for pain and suffering, mental anguish, 1-15 loss associated with disfigurement, or loss of companionship or 1-16 consortium. 1-17 SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 1997, and 1-18 applies only to a cause of action that accrues on or after the 1-19 effective date of this Act. An action that accrues before the 1-20 effective date of this Act is governed by the law in effect when 1-21 the action accrued, and the former law is continued in effect for 1-22 that purpose. 1-23 SECTION 3. The importance of this legislation and the 1-24 crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an 1-25 emergency and an imperative public necessity that the 1-26 constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several 1-27 days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended. 1-28 * * * * *