Bill Text: TX SB1033 | 2023-2024 | 88th Legislature | Introduced
Bill Title: Relating to the eligibility of an injured employee for lifetime income benefits under the workers' compensation system.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2023-03-03 - Referred to Business & Commerce [SB1033 Detail]
Download: Texas-2023-SB1033-Introduced.html
88R8271 RDS-F | ||
By: Perry | S.B. No. 1033 |
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relating to the eligibility of an injured employee for lifetime | ||
income benefits under the workers' compensation system. | ||
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: | ||
SECTION 1. Section 408.161, Labor Code, is amended by | ||
amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsections (b-1) and (e) to | ||
read as follows: | ||
(a) Lifetime income benefits are paid until the death of the | ||
employee for: | ||
(1) total and permanent loss of sight in both eyes; | ||
(2) loss of both feet at or above the ankle; | ||
(3) loss of both hands at or above the wrist; | ||
(4) loss of one foot at or above the ankle and the loss | ||
of one hand at or above the wrist; | ||
(5) an injury to the spine that results in permanent | ||
and complete paralysis of both arms, both legs, or one arm and one | ||
leg; | ||
(6) a physically traumatic injury to the brain | ||
resulting in a permanent major neurocognitive disorder or a | ||
psychotic disorder [ |
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(7) third degree burns that cover at least 40 percent | ||
of the body and require grafting, or third degree burns covering the | ||
majority of: | ||
(A) [ |
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(B) both feet; | ||
(C) one hand and one foot; or | ||
(D) one hand or foot and the face; or | ||
(8) a serious bodily injury sustained by the employee | ||
in the course and scope of the employee's employment or volunteer | ||
service as a first responder that permanently prevents the employee | ||
from performing any gainful work. | ||
(b-1) In this section: | ||
(1) "First responder" has the meaning assigned by | ||
Section 421.095, Government Code. | ||
(2) "Serious bodily injury" has the meaning assigned | ||
by Section 1.07, Penal Code. | ||
(e) Adjudication of lifetime income benefits for a first | ||
responder may proceed in the manner prescribed for an expedited | ||
proceeding under Section 504.055. | ||
SECTION 2. The changes in law made by this Act apply to a | ||
claim for lifetime income 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 the effective date | ||
of this Act is governed by the law in effect 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, 2023. |