HBA-TBM S.B. 624 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisS.B. 624
By: Duncan
Business & Industry
4/5/2001
Engrossed



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Under current law, there are no provisions regarding the use of waivers for
employees of employers who do not subscribe to the workers' compensation
system.  Senate Bill 624 provides that any agreement by an employee to
waive a cause of action against an employer prior to the employee's injury
or death is void and unenforceable.   

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

ANALYSIS

Senate Bill 624 amends the Labor Code to prohibit a cause of action against
an employer who does not have workers' compensation insurance coverage to
recover damages for personal injuries or death sustained by an employee in
the course and scope of the employment from being waived by an employee
prior to the employee's injury or death.  Any agreement by an employee to
waive a cause of action or any right prior to the employee's injury or
death is void and unenforceable.   

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act
takes effect September 1, 2001.