SRC-DPW S.B. 1324 76(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 1324
76R6836 JMM-DBy: Gallegos
Human Services
4/19/1999
As Filed


DIGEST 

Currently, in instances of declared disaster when search and rescue teams
are needed to provide volunteer services, a vast majority of team members
are provided by local political subdivisions.  Such individuals are
considered to be state volunteers because local political subdivisions
continue to pay team member salaries and the salaries of the people who
must be called in to replace place them at the local level.  Local
political subdivisions are concerned about having to pay workers'
compensation to employees who are injured when providing volunteer services
in times of declared disaster.  This bill would entitle a person who
performs volunteer services for the state in a declared disaster under the
direction of an officer or employee of the state or a political subdivision
of the state to workers' compensation benefits for injuries sustained by
the person in the course of providing such services. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 1324 sets forth eligibility criteria for workers'
compensation benefits for certain persons who provide volunteer services in
a declared emergency. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 501B, Labor Code, by adding Section 501.026, as
follows: 

Sec. 501.026. COVERAGE FOR CERTAIN SERVICES PROVIDED BY VOLUNTEERS. Defines
"disaster."  Entitles a person who performs volunteer services for the
state in a declared disaster, under the direction of an officer or employee
of the state or a political subdivision, to benefits under this chapter
only for injuries sustained in the course of providing services while a
state of disaster may reasonably be considered to be in existence.   

SECTION 2.Effective date: September 1, 1999.
  Makes application of this Act prospective.

SECTION 3. Emergency clause.