Texas House Bill HB690

Texas 2015 - 84th Regular

Caption

Relating to injury and occupational disease reporting requirements for employers who do not obtain or otherwise provide workers' compensation insurance coverage; providing an administrative violation.

Impact

The introduction of HB690 amends Section 411.032 of the Labor Code, leading to increased accountability for employers regarding workplace injuries and diseases. By requiring detailed reporting on these incidents, the bill aims to shed light on the conditions in non-compliant businesses, thereby possibly influencing legislation related to workplace safety and health standards. The changes would apply only to injuries or diseases that occur on or after a specific date, reflecting a cutoff for enforcement of new reporting practices.

Summary

House Bill 690 focuses on enhancing the reporting requirements for employers who do not provide workers' compensation insurance coverage. It mandates that these employers report detailed information on any injury or occupational disease that employees may incur. Specifically, reports must include the total cost of medical treatment, days absent from work, wage replacement amounts, and any other settlements paid to the employee. This comprehensive data is intended to improve the oversight of workplace injuries and occupational health issues in non-covered workplaces.

Contention

While the bill aims for better accountability, it also raises concerns among stakeholders. Some may argue that imposing stringent reporting requirements on employers without workers' comp coverage could create hardships, particularly for smaller businesses. There is a balance to be struck between improving workplace safety and ensuring that businesses are not unduly burdened by compliance costs. The administrative violations stipulated for failure to report could further complicate the situation for employers who may be unaware of these changing obligations.