BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	H.B. 3335
88R25359 KKR-F	By: Canales (Kolkhorst)
	Business & Commerce
	5/17/2023
	Engrossed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Firefighters, peace officers, and emergency medical personnel can suffer serious injuries when traveling to an emergency call. However, under current law only firefighters or emergency medical personnel are covered by workers' compensation if seriously injured during such travel. H.B. 3335 seeks to extend this coverage to peace officers.

H.B. 3335 amends current law relating to employment activities of certain peace officers responding to an emergency call for purposes of the Texas Workers' Compensation Act.

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 401.026, Labor Code, as follows:

Sec. 401.026. APPLICABILITY TO CERTAIN EMERGENCY RESPONSE PERSONNEL. Provides that the travel of a firefighter, peace officer, or emergency medical personnel en route to an emergency call, for purposes of Subtitle A (Texas Workers' Compensation Act), is considered to be in the course and scope of the firefighter's, peace officer's, or emergency medical personnel's employment.

SECTION 2. Makes application of the change in law made by this Act prospective.

SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2023.