Relating to conducting certain contested case hearings under the Texas workers’ compensation system by remote communication.
relating to conducting certain contested case hearings under the
Texas workers’ compensation system by remote communication.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 410, Labor Code, is
amended by adding Section 410.0055 to read as follows:
Sec. 410.0055. CONDUCTING CERTAIN CONTESTED CASE HEARINGS
BY REMOTE COMMUNICATION. (a) Notwithstanding Section 410.005(a),
the division may conduct a contested case hearing by
videoconference:
(1) on a determination by the division that good cause
exists for conducting the hearing in that manner; or
(2) on the mutual agreement of the parties.
(b) The commissioner shall adopt rules as necessary to
implement this section.
SECTION 2. As soon as practicable after the effective date
of this Act, the commissioner of workers’ compensation shall adopt
rules to implement Section 410.0055, Labor Code, as added by this
Act.
SECTION 3. Section 410.0055, Labor Code, as added by this
Act, applies 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 immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2025.
