By: Burrows, Oliveira, Frullo H.B. No. 1689
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to liability of certain governmental entities in certain
  workers' compensation actions.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 101.028, Civil Practice and Remedies
  Code, is amended to read as follows:
         Sec. 101.028.  WORKERS' COMPENSATION INSURANCE. (a) In
  this section, "political subdivision" has the meaning assigned by
  Section 504.001, Labor Code.
         (b)  A governmental unit that has workers' compensation
  insurance or that accepts the workers' compensation laws of this
  state is entitled to the privileges and immunities granted by the
  workers' compensation laws of this state to private individuals and
  corporations.
         (c)  A political subdivision that self-insures either
  individually or collectively is
  liable for sanctions,
  administrative penalties, and other remedies authorized under
  Chapter 415, Labor Code.
         SECTION 2.  Section 504.053(e), Labor Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         (e)  Nothing in this chapter waives sovereign immunity or
  creates a new cause of action beyond the actions, damages, and
  remedies authorized by Chapter 101, Civil Practice and Remedies
  Code.
         SECTION 3.  Section 101.028, Civil Practice and Remedies
  Code, as amended by this Act, applies only to an administrative
  violation under Chapter 415, Labor Code, that occurs on or after the
  effective date of this Act. An administrative violation under
  Chapter 415, Labor Code, that occurs before the effective date of
  this Act is governed by the law applicable to the violation
  immediately before the effective date of this Act, and that 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, 2017.