BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 653

By: Eltife

Business & Industry

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Interested parties note that, while the Texas Workers' Compensation Act currently provides for burial benefits of up to $6,000 or the actual costs incurred for reasonable burial expenses, whichever is less, to compensate the person who pays for the burial of an employee in the case of compensable occupational death, the typical burial costs end up being more than the maximum benefit. S.B. 653 seeks to address this issue by increasing the maximum reimbursement for burial benefits payable under the Texas Workers' Compensation Act.

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

S.B. 653 amends the Labor Code to increase from $6,000 to $10,000 the maximum amount of burial benefits an insurance carrier is required to pay if the death of an employee results from a compensable injury under the Texas Workers' Compensation Act and if that amount is less than the actual costs incurred for reasonable burial expenses.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2015.