By: Turner of Dallas H.B. No. 2143
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the eligibility of a first responder for workers'
compensation benefits for post-traumatic stress disorder.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 504.019(b), Labor Code, is amended to
read as follows:
(b) Post-traumatic stress disorder suffered by a first
responder is a compensable injury under this subtitle only if it is
based on a diagnosis that:
(1) the disorder is caused by an event or exposure to
multiple events occurring in the course and scope of the first
responder's employment; and
(2) the preponderance of the evidence indicates that
the event or exposure to multiple events was a substantial
contributing factor of the disorder.
SECTION 2. The change in law made by this Act applies only
to a claim for workers' compensation benefits based on a
compensable injury that occurs on or after the effective date of
this Act. A claim based on a compensable injury that occurs before
that date is governed by the law as it existed on the date the
compensable injury occurred, and the former law is continued in
effect for that purpose.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.