BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 1094

By: Geren

Business & Industry

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Currently, the Texas Workers' Compensation Act entitles eligible spouses to receive death benefits for life or until remarriage, at which point the spouse is entitled to continue to receive 104 weeks of death benefits. Interested parties contend that a survivor of a first responder who paid the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty should not be penalized for remarrying. H.B. 1094 seeks to amend the act to address this concern.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 1094 amends the Labor Code to establish that, for purposes of the duration of workers' compensation death benefits for a remarried eligible spouse, an eligible spouse who remarried is eligible for such benefits for life if the employee was a first responder who suffered death in the course and scope of employment or while providing services as a volunteer.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2015.