By Davis of Harris, Bonnen, Crabb                     H.B. No. 2445
         77R6844 JMM-D                           
                                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)  second and third degree burns over 40 percent of
1-20     the body.
1-21           SECTION 2. (a)  This Act takes effect September 1, 2001.
1-22           (b)  The change in law made by this Act applies only to a
1-23     claim for workers' compensation benefits filed with the Texas
1-24     Workers' Compensation Commission on or after the effective date of
 2-1     this Act.  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                          COMMITTEE AMENDMENT NO. 1
 2-5           On lines 19 and 20, strike from "second" to "the body." and
 2-6     replace with as follows:
 2-7     "burns that result in at least 40 percent of the body being subject
 2-8     to debriding or grafting; or third degree burns covering the
 2-9     majority of either both hands or of one hand and the head.
2-10                                                         Davis of Harris