|
|
|
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
|
|
AN ACT
|
|
relating to income benefits in the workers' compensation system. |
|
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
|
SECTION 1. Section 408.081, Labor Code, is amended by |
|
amending subsection (a) and adding Subsection (e) to read as |
|
follows: |
|
(a) An employee is entitled to timely and accurate income |
|
benefits as provided by this chapter. |
|
(e) Except as otherwise provided over and under payments of |
|
income benefits shall be resolved through future income benefits. |
|
The commissioner by rule shall establish requirements for the |
|
resolution of over and under payments of income benefits. |
|
Resolution requirements must include: |
|
(1) procedures by which an injured worker can notify |
|
the carrier of an underpayment; |
|
(2) the timeframe and methodology by which a carrier |
|
shall settle the underpayment through a future payment; |
|
(3) procedures by which a carrier can notify the |
|
injured worker of an overpayment; |
|
(4) the timeframe and methodology by which a carrier |
|
shall recoup the overpayment through a future payment. |
|
SECTION 2. The commissioner of workers' compensation shall |
|
adopt rules to implement the changes in Section 408.081, Labor |
|
Code, as amended by this Act, on or before Jan. 1, 2010. The changes |
|
in law made to Section 408.081, Labor Code, are effective on the |
|
date provided by commissioner rule. |
|
SECTION 3. Except as otherwise provided for in this Act, |
|
this Act takes effect September 1, 2009. |