Highlights 77th Texas Legislature - Senate

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WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
77 th Texas Legislature
Modifies provisions relating to unemployment insurance to bring Texas into compliance with federal
regulations under the Act.
Requires an Indian tribe to pay contributions under the same terms and conditions as any other subject
employer unless certain conditions are met.
Grandparents May Receive TANF Benefits on Behalf of Grandchildren - H.B. 2103
by Representatives Dutton and Glenn Lewis
Senate Sponsor: Senator Shapleigh
Prior to the 77th Legislature, state law did not allow a grandparent caring for a grandchild to receive the
grandchild's Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) cash assistance benefits when the parent of
the child who ordinarily receives such benefits cannot be found. The unavailability of TANF benefits can
pose a severe financial hardship for grandparents and the children.
Requires the Texas Department of Human Services to implement a process through which a grandparent
of a child receiving financial assistance may act as a protective payee for the child.
Overhaul of Worker’s Compensation System - H.B. 2600
by Representative Brimer, et al.
Senate Sponsor: Senator Duncan
Increases the maximum benefit employee benefit to approximately $800 per week from $533.
Provides for lifetime income benefits for serious burn victims.
Prohibits employers who do not participate in the worker’s compensation system from requiring workers to
sign waivers of their rights to recover benefits. Allows post-injury waivers and establishes arbitration
procedures when negligence may have occurred.
Sets up a series of regional health care networks to provide medical services to injured workers. Requires
the Texas Workers’ Compensation Commission (commission) to appoint a medical advisory committee
consisting of a medical advisor, labor interests, and business interests to oversee the quality of care injured
workers receive. Provides workers the right to change doctors and opt in or out of the network.
Authorizes the commission to authorize all major nonemergency medical surgery in workers’ compensation
cases and adopt treatment guidelines according to medical industry standards.
Reduces the waiting period before an injured worker can receive benefits for the first seven days away from
work from 30 to 14 days.
Aggregates all wages earned in part-time jobs, rather than just the job at which the worker was injured, in
the computation of worker’s compensation benefits.
Senate Research Center 325