By Eiland H.B. No. 739
76R713 JMM-D
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
1-1 AN ACT
1-2 relating to workers' compensation lifetime income benefits for
1-3 certain compensable injuries.
1-4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
1-5 SECTION 1. Section 408.161(a), Labor Code, is amended to
1-6 read as follows:
1-7 (a) Lifetime income benefits are paid until the death of the
1-8 employee for:
1-9 (1) total and permanent loss of sight in both eyes;
1-10 (2) loss of both feet at or above the ankle;
1-11 (3) loss of both hands at or above the wrist;
1-12 (4) loss of one foot at or above the ankle and the
1-13 loss of one hand at or above the wrist;
1-14 (5) an injury to the spine that results in permanent
1-15 and complete paralysis of both arms, both legs, or one arm and one
1-16 leg; [or]
1-17 (6) a physically traumatic injury to the brain
1-18 resulting in incurable insanity or imbecility; or
1-19 (7) an injury resulting in a disabling neurological or
1-20 psychiatric condition that substantially limits at least one major
1-21 life activity of the employee.
1-22 SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 1999, and
1-23 applies only to a claim for workers' compensation benefits filed
1-24 with the Texas Workers' Compensation Commission on or after that
2-1 date. A claim filed before the effective date of this Act is
2-2 governed by the law in effect on the date the claim was filed, and
2-3 the former law is continued in effect for that purpose.
2-4 SECTION 3. The importance of this legislation and the
2-5 crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an
2-6 emergency and an imperative public necessity that the
2-7 constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several
2-8 days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended.