HB 2488
AN ACT relating to conducting certain contested case hearings under the
89th Regular Session
Jan 14, 2025 - Jun 2, 2025 • Session ended
Awaiting Committee Assignment
Bill filed, pending referral to House committee
Committee
Not yet assigned
Fiscal Note
Not available
What This Bill Does
Allows the Texas workers' compensation division to conduct contested case hearings remotely under two conditions: when the division determines there is good cause or when all parties mutually agree. The new law provides flexibility for hearing procedures, enabling remote participation to potentially reduce time and travel costs for workers, employers, and legal representatives. The commissioner of workers' compensation will develop specific rules to implement these remote hearing provisions, which will apply to contested case hearings requested on or after the bill's effective date.
Bill Text
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 (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 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 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.
Bill History
Bill filed: AN ACT relating to conducting certain contested case hearings under the
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