2005S0560-1  03/10/05


By:  Carona                                                       S.B. No. 1584


A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the regulation of certain rehabilitation services for 
injured employees in the workers' compensation system.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Subchapter B, Chapter 408, Labor Code, is 
amended by adding Section 408.031 to read as follows:
	Sec. 408.031.  INTERDISCIPLINARY REHABILITATION PROGRAMS 
AND FACILITIES ACCREDITATION.  The commission shall adopt a rule 
requiring that an interdisciplinary rehabilitation program or 
facility that provides services to injured employees under this 
chapter be appropriately accredited.
	SECTION 2.  The change in law made by this Act applies only 
to services provided by an interdisciplinary rehabilitation 
program or facility on or after the effective date of this Act.  
Services provided by an interdisciplinary rehabilitation program 
or facility before the effective date of this Act are covered by the 
law in effect when the services were provided, and the former law is 
continued in effect for that purpose.
	SECTION 3.  The Texas Workers' Compensation Commission shall 
adopt rules implementing the change in law made by Section 408.031, 
Labor Code, as added by this Act, not later than December 1, 2005.
	SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2005.