BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center H.B. 2082 85R10623 JSC-D By: Burrows et al. (Perry) Business & Commerce 5/16/2017 Engrossed AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT Interested parties contend that first responders seeking treatment for on-the-job injuries should not be left to navigate the complex process of resolving workers' compensation insurance claims on their own. H.B. 2082 seeks to assist injured first responders in obtaining benefits, care, and dispute resolution under the workers' compensation system by providing for the designation and training of an employee of the office of injured employee counsel as a first responder liaison to provide such assistance. H.B. 2082 amends current law relating to the designation of a liaison to assist first responders with workers' compensation claims. 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 Subchapter D, Chapter 404, Labor Code, by adding Section 404.1525, as follows: Sec. 404.1525. FIRST RESPONDER LIAISON. (a) Defines "first responder." (b) Requires the injured employee public counsel (public counsel) to designate an employee of the office of the injured employee counsel (office) to act as first responder liaison. (c) Requires the first responder liaison to assist in an injured first responder and, if applicable, the ombudsman assigned to the first responder's case, during a workers' compensation administrative dispute resolution process. (d) Requires the first responder liaison to meet the qualifications for designation as an ombudsman under this subchapter (Ombudsman Program) and provides that the first responder liaison is subject to the training and education requirements for an ombudsman under this subchapter. SECTION 2. Amends Section 404.153, Labor Code, by adding Subsection (a-1), as follows: (a-1) Requires an employer that employs first responders or supervises volunteer first responders to notify the first responders of the first responder liaison in the manner prescribed by the office. Defines "first responder." SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2017.
BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center H.B. 2082
85R10623 JSC-D By: Burrows et al. (Perry)
Business & Commerce
5/16/2017
Engrossed
Senate Research Center
H.B. 2082
85R10623 JSC-D
By: Burrows et al. (Perry)
Business & Commerce
5/16/2017
Engrossed
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Interested parties contend that first responders seeking treatment for on-the-job injuries should not be left to navigate the complex process of resolving workers' compensation insurance claims on their own. H.B. 2082 seeks to assist injured first responders in obtaining benefits, care, and dispute resolution under the workers' compensation system by providing for the designation and training of an employee of the office of injured employee counsel as a first responder liaison to provide such assistance.
H.B. 2082 amends current law relating to the designation of a liaison to assist first responders with workers' compensation claims.
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 Subchapter D, Chapter 404, Labor Code, by adding Section 404.1525, as follows:
Sec. 404.1525. FIRST RESPONDER LIAISON. (a) Defines "first responder."
(b) Requires the injured employee public counsel (public counsel) to designate an employee of the office of the injured employee counsel (office) to act as first responder liaison.
(c) Requires the first responder liaison to assist in an injured first responder and, if applicable, the ombudsman assigned to the first responder's case, during a workers' compensation administrative dispute resolution process.
(d) Requires the first responder liaison to meet the qualifications for designation as an ombudsman under this subchapter (Ombudsman Program) and provides that the first responder liaison is subject to the training and education requirements for an ombudsman under this subchapter.
SECTION 2. Amends Section 404.153, Labor Code, by adding Subsection (a-1), as follows:
(a-1) Requires an employer that employs first responders or supervises volunteer first responders to notify the first responders of the first responder liaison in the manner prescribed by the office. Defines "first responder."
SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2017.