SB67 - Relating to conducting certain contested case hearings under the Texas workers' compensation system by videoconference.

  89R1214 RDS-F     By: Zaffirini S.B. No. 67       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to conducting certain contested case hearings under the   Texas workers' compensation system by videoconference.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Section 410.005(a), Labor Code, is amended to   read as follows:          (a)   A  [ Unless the division determines that good cause   exists for the selection of a different location, a ] contested case   hearing may not be conducted at a site more than 75 miles from the   claimant's residence at the time of the injury unless:                 (1)     the division determines that good cause exists for   the selection of a different location; or                 (2)     the contested case hearing is conducted by   videoconference as provided by Section 410.0055 .          SECTION 2.  Subchapter A, Chapter 410, Labor Code, is   amended by adding Section 410.0055 to read as follows:           Sec.   410.0055.     CONDUCTING CERTAIN CONTESTED CASE HEARINGS   BY VIDEOCONFERENCE. (a)   In this section, "custodial officer,"   "detention officer," "emergency medical technician,"   "firefighter," and "peace officer" have the meanings assigned by   Section 607.051, Government Code.             (b)     The division shall conduct a contested case hearing by   videoconference on request of:                 (1)  the claimant, if:                       (A)     the claim relates to an injury incurred by   the claimant in the course and scope of the claimant's employment or   volunteer service as a custodial officer, detention officer,   emergency medical technician, firefighter, or peace officer; or                       (B)     the claimant resides more than 75 miles from   the hearing site at the time of the hearing; or                   (2)     the insurance carrier, if the insurance carrier   is:                       (A)  the State Office of Risk Management;                       (B)  The Texas A&M University System;                       (C)  the Texas Department of Transportation; or                       (D)  The University of Texas System.          SECTION 3.  The changes in law made by this Act apply only to   a contested case hearing requested on or after the effective date of   this Act. A contested case hearing requested before the effective   date of this Act is governed by the law in effect on the date the   contested case hearing was requested, and the former law is   continued in effect for that purpose.          SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.