By: Deuell S.B. No. 2419
(In the Senate - Filed March 13, 2009; March 31, 2009, read
first time and referred to Committee on Health and Human Services;
April 24, 2009, reported adversely, with favorable Committee
Substitute by the following vote: Yeas 9, Nays 0; April 24, 2009,
sent to printer.)
COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR S.B. No. 2419 By: Deuell
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to preventive treatment for state employees exposed to
certain contagious diseases while performing duties of employment.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 607.001, Government Code, is amended to
read as follows:
Sec. 607.001. DEFINITIONS [DEFINITION]. In this chapter:
(1) "Public[, "public] safety employee" means a peace
officer, fire fighter, detention officer, county jailer, or
emergency medical services employee of this state or a political
subdivision of this state.
(2) "State employee" means an employee of this state.
SECTION 2. Section 607.002, Government Code, is amended to
read as follows:
Sec. 607.002. REIMBURSEMENT. A public safety employee or a
state employee who is exposed to a contagious disease is entitled to
reimbursement from the employing governmental entity for
reasonable medical expenses incurred in treatment for the
prevention of the disease if:
(1) the disease is not an "ordinary disease of life" as
that term is used in the context of a workers' compensation claim;
(2) the exposure to the disease occurs during the
course of the employment; and
(3) the employee requires preventative medical
treatment because of exposure to the disease.
SECTION 3. Section 607.003, Government Code, is amended to
read as follows:
Sec. 607.003. PHYSICIAN OF CHOICE. A public safety
employee or a state employee who is exposed to a disease described
by Section 607.002 is entitled to be treated for the prevention of
that disease by the physician of the employee's choice.
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2009.
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