BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

Senate Research Center	H.B. 2143
	By: Turner, John et al. (Whitmire)
	Business & Commerce
	5/15/2019
	Engrossed

 

 

 

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

H.B. 2143 amends current law relating to the eligibility of a first responder for workers' compensation benefits for post-traumatic stress disorder.

 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

 

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

 

SECTION 1. Amends Section 504.019, Labor Code, by amending Subsection (b) and adding Subsection (c), as follows:

 

(b) Provides that post-traumatic stress disorder suffered by a first responder is a compensable injury under this subtitle (Workers' Compensation Insurance Coverage For Certain Government Employees) only if it is based on a diagnosis that:

 

(1) the disorder is caused by one or more events, rather than an event, occurring in the course and scope of the first responder�s employment; and

 

(2) makes a conforming change to this subdivision.

 

(c) Provides that, for purposes of this subtitle, the date of injury for post-traumatic stress disorder suffered by a first responder is the date on which the first responder first knew or should have known that the disorder may be related to the first responder�s employment.

 

SECTION 2. Makes application of this Act prospective.

 

SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2019.