By Davis of Harris, Bonnen, Crabb                     H.B. No. 2445
                                A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 1-1                                   AN ACT
 1-2     relating to lifetime workers' compensation benefits for certain
 1-3     employees who suffer catastrophic burns.
 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 read
 1-6     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)  burns that result in at least 40 percent of the
1-20     body being subject to debriding or grafting, or third degree burns
1-21     covering the majority either of both hands or of one hand and the
1-22     head.
1-23           SECTION 2. (a)  This Act takes effect September 1, 2001.
1-24           (b)  The change in law made by this Act applies only to a
 2-1     claim for workers' compensation benefits filed with the Texas
 2-2     Workers' Compensation Commission on or after the effective date of
 2-3     this Act.  A claim filed before the effective date of this Act is
 2-4     governed by the law in effect on the date the claim was filed, and
 2-5     the former law is continued in effect for that purpose.