H.B. No. 2314
 
 
 
 
AN ACT
  relating to filing death benefits claims under the workers'
  compensation system.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 408.182(d-2), Labor Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         (d-2)  Except as otherwise provided by this subsection, to be
  eligible to receive death benefits under Subsection (d-1), an
  eligible parent must file with the division or insurance carrier a
  claim for those benefits not later than the first anniversary of the
  date of the injured employee's death from the compensable injury.
  The claim must designate all eligible parents and necessary
  information for payment to the eligible parents. The insurance
  carrier is not liable for payment to any eligible parent not
  designated on the claim. Failure to file a claim in the time
  required bars the claim unless good cause exists for the failure to
  file a claim under this section.
         SECTION 2.  Section 409.007, Labor Code, is amended by
  amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (d) to read as
  follows:
         (a)  A person must file a claim for death benefits with the
  division or insurance carrier not later than the first anniversary
  of the date of the employee's death.
         (d)  If a person files a claim for death benefits with an
  insurance carrier, at the time the carrier receives the claim the
  carrier shall, in the form and manner prescribed by the division:
               (1)  create and maintain a record documenting receipt
  of the claim; and
               (2)  provide written notice to the division that the
  person filed the claim.
         SECTION 3.  The commissioner of worker's compensation shall
  adopt rules as necessary to implement the changes in law made by
  this Act.
         SECTION 4.  The changes in law made by this Act apply to a
  claim for death benefits filed on or after the effective date of
  this Act. A claim for death benefits filed before that date is
  covered by the law in effect on the date the claim was filed, and the
  former law is continued in effect for that purpose.
         SECTION 5.  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, 2023.
 
 
  ______________________________ ______________________________
     President of the Senate Speaker of the House     
 
 
         I certify that H.B. No. 2314 was passed by the House on April
  13, 2023, by the following vote:  Yeas 147, Nays 0, 2 present, not
  voting.
 
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House   
 
 
         I certify that H.B. No. 2314 was passed by the Senate on May
  19, 2023, by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0.
 
  ______________________________
  Secretary of the Senate    
  APPROVED:  _____________________
                     Date          
   
            _____________________
                   Governor