TITLE: Relating to the confidentiality of working papers and electronic communications of administrative law judges and appeals judges under the workers' compensation system.

SUMMARY: Relating to the confidentiality of working papers and electronic communications of administrative law judges and appeals judges under the workers' compensation system.

FULL TEXT:
AN ACT relating to the confidentiality of working papers and electronic communications of administrative law judges and appeals judges under the workers' compensation system. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 410, Labor Code, is amended by adding Section 410.008 to read as follows: Sec. 410.008. CONFIDENTIALITY OF WORKING PAPERS AND ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS OF ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGES AND APPEALS JUDGES. The following working papers and electronic communications of an administrative law judge or appeals judge created in connection with conducting contested case hearings or appeals to the appeals panel are not subject to disclosure under Chapter 552, Government Code: (1) notes and electronic communications recording the observations, thoughts, questions, deliberations, or impressions of an administrative law judge or appeals judge; (2) drafts of a decision; and (3) drafts of an order. SECTION 2. The change in law made by this Act applies to a document or electronic communication created by an administrative law judge or appeals judge before, on, or after the effective date of this Act. SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.