Texas Senate Bill SB229

Texas 2019 - 86th Regular

Caption

Relating to the notice of rights provided to an injured employee under the Texas workers' compensation system.

Impact

The implementation of SB229 is expected to improve the communication of employee rights within the workers' compensation framework, ensuring that individuals who have suffered injuries at work are better informed about their options. By explicitly stating the right to select their treating doctor, the bill aims to empower employees, which could lead to better health outcomes and a more favorable recovery process. Additionally, it seeks to strengthen compliance with existing workers' compensation laws by clarifying what rights employees hold.

Summary

Senate Bill 229 aims to enhance the notice of rights provided to injured employees under the Texas workers' compensation system. The bill mandates that the public counsel, after consulting with the commissioner of workers' compensation, adopts a formal notice that is to be distributed by the relevant division. This notice will inform injured employees about their rights and responsibilities, including the fundamental right to choose their treating doctor from a specified list of licensed professionals such as medical doctors, chiropractors, and podiatrists.

Contention

While SB229 appears to be widely beneficial, there may be concerns regarding the operational aspects of implementing this enhanced notice. Questions may arise on how effectively the public counsel can distribute the notice and whether all injured employees will receive it in a timely manner. Moreover, there could be discussions on how this bill interacts with existing regulations, specifically whether it adequately aligns with the broader goals of the Texas workers' compensation scheme or creates unintended bureaucratic hurdles for both employees and employers.