H.B. No. 2143
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, Labor Code, is amended by
amending Subsection (b) and adding Subsection (c) 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 producing cause [substantial
contributing factor] of the disorder.
(c) For purposes of this subtitle, the date of injury for
post-traumatic stress disorder suffered by a first responder is the
date on which the first responder first knew or should have known
that the disorder may be related to the first responder's
employment.
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.
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 2143 was passed by the House on May
10, 2019, by the following vote: Yeas 129, Nays 0, 1 present, not
voting; that the House refused to concur in Senate amendments to
H.B. No. 2143 on May 24, 2019, and requested the appointment of a
conference committee to consider the differences between the two
houses; and that the House adopted the conference committee report
on H.B. No. 2143 on May 26, 2019, by the following vote: Yeas 144,
Nays 0, 1 present, not voting.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 2143 was passed by the Senate, with
amendments, on May 22, 2019, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays
0; at the request of the House, the Senate appointed a conference
committee to consider the differences between the two houses; and
that the Senate adopted the conference committee report on H.B. No.
2143 on May 26, 2019, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
APPROVED: __________________
Date
__________________
Governor