BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 2056

By: Oliveira

Business & Industry

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Interested parties contend that the nature of task delegation between a designated doctor from whom injured employees and insurance carriers can request an independent medical opinion to resolve disputes on certain workers' compensation issues and such a doctor's authorized agent raises compliance issues because it is not always clear to the workers' compensation division of the Texas Department of Insurance which duties have been delegated to the authorized agent. H.B. 2056 seeks to assist the division in its mission by requiring such a doctor to provide a copy of certain contracts between the doctor and an authorized agent on the division's request.

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. 2056 amends the Labor Code to require a doctor appointed by mutual agreement of the applicable parties or by the workers' compensation division of the Texas Department of Insurance to recommend a resolution of a dispute as to the medical condition of an injured employee under the Texas Workers' Compensation Act to provide the division on request a copy of any contract that is between the doctor and an authorized agent of the doctor and that is for services provided by the agent related to the doctor's duties, including scheduling, billing, and organizing medical records. The bill exempts such a contract from disclosure under state public information law.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2017.