Texas 2019 86th Regular

Texas House Bill HB2143 Comm Sub / Bill

Filed 04/30/2019

                    86R9961 KKR-D
 By: Turner of Dallas, Wray, Darby H.B. No. 2143
 Substitute the following for H.B. No. 2143:
 By:  Collier C.S.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 one or more events [an
 event] occurring in the course and scope of the first responder's
 employment; and
 (2)  the preponderance of the evidence indicates that
 the event or events were [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.