TITLE: Relating to workers' compensation death benefit eligibility for certain spouses of first responders and certain other public servants killed in the line of duty.

SUMMARY: Relating to workers' compensation death benefit eligibility for certain spouses of first responders and certain other public servants killed in the line of duty.

FULL TEXT:
AN ACT relating to workers' compensation death benefit eligibility for certain spouses of first responders and certain other public servants killed in the line of duty. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 408.183(b-1), Labor Code, is amended to read as follows: (b-1) Notwithstanding Subsection (b), an eligible spouse who remarried is eligible for death benefits for life if the employee was a first responder, as defined by Section 504.055, or an individual described by Section 501.001(5)(F), who suffered death in the course and scope of employment or while providing services as a volunteer. This subsection applies regardless of the date on which the death of the first responder or other individual occurred. SECTION 2. The change in law made by this Act to Section 408.183(b-1), Labor Code, applies only to an eligible spouse who remarries on or after the effective date of this Act. An eligible spouse who remarried before that date is governed by the law as it existed immediately before the effective date of this Act, and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose. SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.