H.B. No. 2143
 
 
 
 
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 producing cause [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.
 
 
  ______________________________ ______________________________
     President of the Senate Speaker of the House     
 
 
         I certify that H.B. No. 2143 was passed by the House on May
  10, 2019, by the following vote:  Yeas 129, Nays 0, 1 present, not
  voting; that the House refused to concur in Senate amendments to
  H.B. No. 2143 on May 24, 2019, and requested the appointment of a
  conference committee to consider the differences between the two
  houses; and that the House adopted the conference committee report
  on H.B. No. 2143 on May 26, 2019, by the following vote:  Yeas 144,
  Nays 0, 1 present, not voting.
 
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House   
 
         I certify that H.B. No. 2143 was passed by the Senate, with
  amendments, on May 22, 2019, by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays
  0; at the request of the House, the Senate appointed a conference
  committee to consider the differences between the two houses; and
  that the Senate adopted the conference committee report on H.B. No.
  2143 on May 26, 2019, by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0.
 
  ______________________________
  Secretary of the Senate   
  APPROVED: __________________
                  Date       
   
           __________________
                Governor