| |
| |
|
|
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
|
|
|
AN ACT
|
|
|
relating to the eligibility of a first responder for workers' |
|
|
compensation benefits for post-traumatic stress disorder. |
|
|
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
|
|
SECTION 1. Section 504.019, Labor Code, is amended by |
|
|
amending Subsection (b) and adding Subsection (c) to read as |
|
|
follows: |
|
|
(b) Post-traumatic stress disorder suffered by a first |
|
|
responder is a compensable injury under this subtitle only if it is |
|
|
based on a diagnosis that: |
|
|
(1) the disorder is caused by one or more events [an
|
|
|
event] occurring in the course and scope of the first responder's |
|
|
employment; and |
|
|
(2) the preponderance of the evidence indicates that |
|
|
the event or events were [was] a substantial contributing factor of |
|
|
the disorder. |
|
|
(c) 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. The change in law made by this Act 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, 2019. |