WORKERS' COMPENSATION INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR EMPLOYEES OF THE TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY SYSTEM AND EMPLOYEES OF INSTITUTIONS OF THE TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY SYSTEM

Tex. LABOR Code ch. 502

in effect

Tex. LABOR Code § 502.001. DEFINITIONS.

In this chapter: (1) "Division" means the division of workers' compensation of the Texas Department of Insurance. (2) "Employee" means a person employed in the service of an institution whose name appears on the institution's payroll. (3) "Institution" means an institution of higher education or agency under the direction or governance of the board of regents of The Texas A&M University System. (4) "System" has the meaning assigned by Section 85.01 (1), Education Code. Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 269, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993.

Tex. LABOR Code § 502.002. APPLICATION OF GENERAL WORKERS' COMPENSATION LAWS; LIMIT ON ACTIONS AND DAMAGES.

(a) The following provisions of Subtitle A apply to and are included in this chapter except to the extent that they are inconsistent with this chapter: (1) Chapter 401 , other than Section 401.012 defining "employee"; (2) Chapter 402 ; (3) Chapter 403 , other than Sections 403.001-403.005; (4) Chapters 404 and 405 ; (5) Sections 406.031-406.033; Subchapter D , Chapter 406 ; Sections 406.092 and 406.093 ; (6) Chapter 408 , other than Sections 408.001 (b) and (c); (7) Chapters 409 and 410 ; (8) Subchapters A and G, Chapter 411 , other than Sections 411.003 and 411.004 ; and (9) Chapters 412-417. (b) For the purpose of applying the provisions listed by Subsection (a) to this chapter, "employer" means "the institution," and "system" means the insurance carrier under Section 502.022 . (c) Neither this chapter nor Subtitle A authorizes a cause of action or damages against the system or any institution or employee of the system or institution beyond the actions and damages authorized by Chapter 101 , Civil Practice and Remedies Code. Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 269, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993.

Tex. LABOR Code § 502.003. LEGAL BENEFICIARY OF DECEASED EMPLOYEE.

(a) A reference in this chapter to an injured employee includes the legal beneficiaries of the employee if the injured employee is dead. (b) In this section, "legal beneficiary" has the meaning assigned to that term under Section 401.011 . Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 269, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993. SUBCHAPTER B. COVERAGE

Tex. LABOR Code § 502.021. WORKERS' COMPENSATION COVERAGE FOR INSTITUTION EMPLOYEES.

(a) The system shall pay benefits as provided by this chapter to an employee with a compensable injury. (b) A benefit under this section for an employee who is employed on less than a full workday basis may not exceed 60 percent of the employee's average weekly wage as computed under Section 408.042 . (c) A benefit shall be paid weekly as it accrues directly to the person entitled to it unless the liability is redeemed as provided by this chapter. (d) In this section, "average weekly wage" has the meaning assigned to that term by Subchapter C , Chapter 408 . Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 269, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993.

Tex. LABOR Code § 502.022. AUTHORITY TO SELF-INSURE.

An institution may self-insure. Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 269, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993.

Tex. LABOR Code § 502.023. INSURANCE REQUIREMENT.

(a) The board of regents of the system may require each employee, as a condition of employment, to acquire protection under a group life and accident insurance plan approved by the board. (b) This section does not apply to an employee who is paid on a piece-work basis or on any basis other than by the hour, day, week, month, or year. Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 269, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993.

Tex. LABOR Code § 502.024. PREEXISTING DISQUALIFYING CONDITION.

(a) An institution may certify as an employee a person who indicates a preexisting disqualifying physical condition in a medical history obtained under Section 502.064 or who is found to have a preexisting disqualifying medical condition in a physical examination under Section 502.064 on the condition that the person execute in writing a waiver of coverage under this chapter for the preexisting disqualifying physical condition before becoming an employee of the institution. (b) A waiver under Subsection (a) is valid and binding on the employee who executes the waiver. Compensation or death benefits may not be paid to the employee or the employee's beneficiaries for an injury or death of the employee that is attributable to the condition for which coverage was waived. Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 269, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993.

Tex. LABOR Code § 502.025. COVERAGE FOR OUT-OF-STATE EMPLOYEES.

(a) An employee who performs services outside this state is entitled to benefits under this chapter even if the person: (1) is hired or not hired in this state; (2) does not work in this state; (3) works both in this state and out of state; (4) is injured outside this state; or (5) has been outside this state for more than one year. (b) An employee who elects to pursue remedies provided by this state where the injury occurred is not entitled to benefits under this chapter. Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1266, Sec. 4.02, eff. June 20, 2003. SUBCHAPTER C. OFFSETS

Tex. LABOR Code § 502.041. EXHAUSTION OF ANNUAL AND SICK LEAVE.

(a) An employee may elect to use accrued sick leave before receiving income benefits. If an employee elects to use sick leave, the employee is not entitled to income benefits under this chapter until the employee has exhausted the employee's accrued sick leave. (b) An employee may elect to use all or any number of weeks of accrued annual leave after the employee's accrued sick leave is exhausted. If an employee elects to use annual leave, the employee is not entitled to income benefits under this chapter until the elected number of weeks of leave have been exhausted. Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 269, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993. SUBCHAPTER D. ADMINISTRATION

Tex. LABOR Code § 502.061. ADMINISTRATION AND RULES.

(a) The system shall administer this chapter. (b) Process and procedure under this chapter shall be as summary as possible. (c) The system may: (1) adopt and publish rules and prescribe and furnish forms necessary for the administration of this chapter; and (2) adopt and enforce rules necessary for the prevention of accidents and injuries. Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 269, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993.

Tex. LABOR Code § 502.062. PERCENTAGE OF PAYROLL SET ASIDE FOR WORKERS' COMPENSATION EXPENSES; ACCOUNT; REPORTS.

(a) An institution may set aside from its available appropriations, other than itemized salary appropriations, an amount not to exceed two percent of the institution's annual payroll for the payment of administrative expenses, charges, benefits, and awards under this chapter. (b) The amount set aside under Subsection (a) shall be set up in a separate account in the institution's records. The balance of the account at any time may not exceed an amount equal to two percent of the institution's annual payroll. (c) The account must show the disbursements authorized by this chapter. A statement of the amount set aside for the account and the disbursements from the account shall be included in the reports made to the governor and the legislature as required by law. Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 269, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993.

Tex. LABOR Code § 502.063. CERTIFIED COPIES OF DIVISION DOCUMENTS.

(a) The division shall furnish a certified copy of an order, award, decision, or paper on file in the division's office to a person entitled to the copy on written request and payment of the fee for the copy. The fee is the same as that charged for similar services by the secretary of state's office. (b) The system or an institution may obtain certified copies under this section without charge. (c) A fee or salary may not be paid to an employee of the division for making a copy under Subsection (a) that exceeds the fee charged for the copy. Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 269, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993.

Tex. LABOR Code § 502.064. PREEMPLOYMENT PHYSICAL REQUIRED; EXAMINING PHYSICIANS; INSTITUTION RECORDS.

(a) An institution may obtain and record on a form prescribed by the institution the medical history of a person to be employed by the institution. (b) The institution may require that an individual may not be certified as an employee of the institution under this chapter until the individual: (1) submits to a physical examination as provided by this section; and (2) is certified by the examining physician or chiropractor to be physically fit to perform the duties and services to which the individual is to be assigned. (c) The institution may designate a convenient number of licensed practicing physicians and chiropractors to perform physical examinations under this section. (d) A physician or chiropractor designated under Subsection (c) who conducts an examination shall file with the institution a complete transcript of the examination. The transcript must be sworn to on a form provided by the institution. (e) The institution shall maintain all reports and medical histories filed with the institution under this section as part of the institution's permanent records. Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 269, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993.

Tex. LABOR Code § 502.065. REPORTS OF INJURIES.

(a) In addition to a report of an injury filed with the division under Section 409.005 (a), an institution shall file a supplemental report that contains: (1) the name, age, sex, and occupation of the injured employee; (2) the character of work in which the employee was engaged at the time of the injury; (3) the place, date, and hour of the injury; and (4) the nature and cause of the injury. (b) The institution shall file the supplemental report on a form obtained for that purpose: (1) on the termination of incapacity of the injured employee; or (2) if the incapacity extends beyond 60 days. Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 269, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993.

Tex. LABOR Code § 502.066. REQUIRED EXAMINATION OF INJURED EMPLOYEE; REFUSAL TO SUBMIT TO EXAMINATION.

(a) The division may require an employee who claims to have been injured to submit to an examination by the division or a person acting under the division's authority at a reasonable time and place in this state. (b) On the request of an employee or the system, the employee, the institution, or the system is entitled to have a physician or chiropractor selected by the employee, the institution, or the system, as appropriate, present to participate in an examination under Subsection (a) or Section 408.004 . (c) An employee is not entitled to compensation during or for a period in which the employee refuses to submit to an examination under Subsection (a) or Section 408.004 . (d) The system or the institution may have an injured employee examined at a reasonable time and at a place suitable to the employee's condition and convenient and accessible to the employee by a physician or chiropractor selected by the system or the institution. The system or the institution shall pay for an examination under this subsection and for the employee's reasonable expenses incident to the examination. The employee is entitled to have a physician or chiropractor selected by the employee present to participate in an examination under this subsection. (e) The system or the institution shall pay the fee set by the division for the services of a physician or chiropractor selected by the employee under Subsection (b) or (d). Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 269, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993.

Tex. LABOR Code § 502.067. REFUSAL TO SUBMIT TO MEDICAL TREATMENT.

(a) The commissioner of workers' compensation may order or direct the system or the institution to reduce or suspend the compensation of an injured employee who: (1) persists in insanitary or injurious practices that tend to imperil or retard the employee's recovery; or (2) refuses to submit to medical, surgical, chiropractic, or other remedial treatment recognized by the state that is reasonably essential to promote the employee's recovery. (b) Compensation may not be reduced or suspended under this section without reasonable notice to the employee and an opportunity to be heard. Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 269, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993.

Tex. LABOR Code § 502.068. POSTPONEMENT OF HEARING.

If an injured employee is receiving benefits under this chapter and the system or the institution is providing hospitalization, medical treatment, or chiropractic care to the employee, the division may postpone the hearing on the employee's claim. An appeal may not be taken from a division order under this section. Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 269, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993.

Tex. LABOR Code § 502.069. NOTICE OF APPEAL; NOTICE OF TRIAL COURT JUDGMENT; OFFENSE.

(a) In each case appealed from the division to a county or district court: (1) the clerk of the court shall mail to the division: (A) not later than the 20th day after the date the case is filed, a notice containing the style, number, and date of filing of the case; and (B) not later than the 20th day after the date the judgment is rendered, a certified copy of the judgment; and (2) the attorney preparing the judgment shall file the original and a copy of the judgment with the clerk. (b) An attorney's failure to comply with Subsection (a)(2) does not excuse the failure of a county or district clerk to comply with Subsection (a)(1)(B). (c) The duties of a county or district clerk under Subsection (a)(1) are part of the clerk's ex officio duties, and the clerk is not entitled to a fee for the services. (d) A county or district clerk who violates this section commits an offense. An offense under this section is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed $250. Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 269, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993.

Tex. LABOR Code § 502.070. ATTORNEY GENERAL AS LEGAL REPRESENTATIVE.

The attorney general is the institution's legal representative and may bring and defend all suits and hearings necessary to carry out the purposes of this chapter. Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 269, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993.

Source: TX Statutes (Official Site)URL: https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Fetched: 6/29/2026