2005S0479-1  03/08/05


By:  Gallegos                                                     S.B. No. 1316


A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to providing educational materials to employees regarding 
workplace safety and retaliation by employers.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  The heading to Subchapter F, Chapter 411, Labor 
Code, is amended to read as follows:
	SUBCHAPTER F.  EMPLOYEE REPORTS OF SAFETY VIOLATIONS;
	EDUCATION MATERIALS
	SECTION 2.  Subchapter F, Chapter 411, Labor Code, is 
amended by adding Section 411.084 to read as follows:
	Sec. 411.084.  EDUCATIONAL PUBLICATIONS.  (a)  The division 
shall provide educational material, including books, pamphlets, 
brochures, films, videotapes, or other informational material.
	(b)  Educational material shall be provided to employees in 
English and Spanish.
	(c)  The commission shall adopt minimum content requirements 
of the educational material required under this section, including:
		(1)  an employee's right to report an unsafe working 
environment;    
		(2)  instructions on how to report unsafe working 
conditions and safety violations; and
		(3)  state laws regarding retaliation by employers.                    
	SECTION 3.  The Texas Workers' Compensation Commission shall 
adopt rules required by Subsection (c), Section 411.084, Labor 
Code, as added by this Act, as soon as practicable after the 
effective date of this Act.
	SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2005.