| |
| |
|
|
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
|
|
|
AN ACT
|
|
|
relating to a cost-of-living increase applicable to death benefits |
|
|
paid to spouses of first responders killed in the line of duty under |
|
|
the workers' compensation system. |
|
|
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
|
|
SECTION 1. Section 408.181(b), Labor Code, is amended to |
|
|
read as follows: |
|
|
(b) Subject to Section 408.061 and except as provided by |
|
|
Section 408.1811, the amount of a death benefit is equal to 75 |
|
|
percent of the employee's average weekly wage. |
|
|
SECTION 2. Subchapter J, Chapter 408, Labor Code, is |
|
|
amended by adding Section 408.1811 to read as follows: |
|
|
Sec. 408.1811. AMOUNT OF DEATH BENEFITS FOR ELIGIBLE |
|
|
SPOUSES OF CERTAIN FIRST RESPONDERS. (a) Notwithstanding Section |
|
|
408.061, the amount of a death benefit paid to an eligible spouse of |
|
|
a first responder described by Section 408.183(b-1) is increased to |
|
|
include a three percent cost of living adjustment in accordance |
|
|
with Subsection (b) each calendar year. |
|
|
(b) Not later than January 1 of each year, an insurance |
|
|
carrier shall recompute the amount of a death benefit to be paid |
|
|
under this section by applying the three percent adjustment to the |
|
|
amount otherwise required to be paid under Section 408.181. |
|
|
SECTION 3. The change in law made by this Act applies only |
|
|
to a death benefit payment made on or after January 1, 2026. |
|
|
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025. |