Texas House Bill HB3495

Texas 2011 - 82nd Regular

• Out of House Committee: 5/3/11
• Introduced: 3/11/11
• Refer: 3/22/11
• Report Pass: 4/26/11

Caption

Relating to workers' compensation death benefit eligibility for certain spouses of certain peace officers killed in the line of duty.

Impact

This bill modifies Section 408.183 of the Labor Code, which governs workers' compensation death benefits. The changes introduced by HB3495 will enable the remarried spouses of deceased peace officers, such as sheriffs and their deputies, to qualify for benefits if their previous marriage ended due to divorce or death. The benefits will continue for the life of the eligible spouse or until further remarriage, thus providing a sense of security for these individuals in the event of their spouse's death while performing their duties.

Summary

House Bill 3495 addresses the eligibility of spouses for workers' compensation death benefits specifically for certain peace officers who were killed in the line of duty. The bill proposes to amend existing provisions in the Labor Code, allowing remarried spouses of deceased peace officers to access these benefits under specified conditions. It provides a framework for how these benefits can be resumed or adjusted, ensuring that eligible individuals receive adequate support despite changes in their marital status.

Contention

While there may be support for providing death benefits to remarried spouses, concerns might arise regarding the implications of adjusting existing benefits structures, especially in how these changes affect previous legal beneficiaries. There may be discussions regarding the fairness of extending benefits to those who have remarried, as opposed to maintaining support exclusively for the initial beneficiaries. Ensuring that the adjustments are balanced and do not disadvantage any parties will be crucial in the legislative discourse surrounding this bill.