BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 934

By: Hancock

Business & Industry

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

It has been noted that the Office of Injured Employee Counsel recommends extending the deadline to file for judicial review of a final decision of the appeals panel of the division of workers' compensation of the Texas Department of Insurance because securing legal representation to appeal to the district court by the current filing deadline is often a struggle for the injured employee. S.B. 934 seeks to address this issue by extending the deadline for filing for judicial review of certain workers' compensation disputes.  

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. 934 amends the Labor Code to extend the deadline by which a party seeking judicial review of a final decision of the appeals panel under the Texas Workers' Compensation Act may file suit from the 45th day after the date on which the division of workers' compensation of the Texas Department of Insurance mailed the party the decision of the appeals panel to the 60th day after such date.      

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2019.