By: Geren, et al. (Senate Sponsor - Eltife) H.B. No. 1094

(In the Senate - Received from the House May 5, 2015; May 6, 2015, read first time and referred to Committee on Business and Commerce; May 22, 2015, reported adversely, with favorable Committee Substitute by the following vote: Yeas 7, Nays 0; May 22, 2015, sent to printer.) Click here to see the committee vote

COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR H.B. No. 1094 By: Eltife

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to workers' compensation death benefit eligibility for certain spouses of first responders killed in the line of duty.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Section 408.183, Labor Code, is amended by adding Subsection (b-1) to read as follows:

(b-1) Notwithstanding Subsection (b), an eligible spouse who remarried is eligible for death benefits for life if the employee was a first responder, as defined by Section 504.055, who suffered death in the course and scope of employment or while providing services as a volunteer.

SECTION 2. The change in law made by this Act to Section 408.183, Labor Code, applies only to a claim for workers' compensation benefits based on a compensable injury that occurs on or after the effective date of this Act. A claim based on a compensable injury that occurs before that date is governed by the law as it existed on the date the compensable injury occurred, and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose.

SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2015.

* * * * *