TITLE: Relating to a cost-of-living increase applicable to death benefits paid to spouses of first responders killed in the line of duty under the workers' compensation system.

SUMMARY: Relating to a cost-of-living increase applicable to death benefits paid to spouses of first responders killed in the line of duty under the workers' compensation system.

FULL TEXT:
AN ACT relating to a cost-of-living increase applicable to death benefits paid to spouses of first responders killed in the line of duty under the workers' compensation system. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 408.181(b), Labor Code, is amended to read as follows: (b) Subject to Section 408.061 and except as provided by Section 408.1811,the amount of a death benefit is equal to 75 percent of the employee's average weekly wage. SECTION 2. Subchapter J, Chapter 408, Labor Code, is amended by adding Section 408.1811 to read as follows: Sec. 408.1811. AMOUNT OF DEATH BENEFITS FOR ELIGIBLE SPOUSES OF CERTAIN FIRST RESPONDERS. (a) Notwithstanding Section 408.061, the amount of a death benefit paid to an eligible spouse of a first responder described by Section 408.183(b-1) is increased to include a three percent cost of living adjustment in accordance with Subsection (b) each calendar year. (b) Not later than January 1 of each year, an insurance carrier shall recompute the amount of a death benefit to be paid under this section by applying the three percent adjustment to the amount otherwise required to be paid under Section 408.181. SECTION 3. The change in law made by this Act applies only to a death benefit payment made on or after January 1, 2026. SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.