Bill Text: TX HB1678 | 2017-2018 | 85th Legislature | Introduced


Bill Title: Relating to privileged communications in workers' compensation insurance claims.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2017-04-10 - Left pending in committee [HB1678 Detail]

Download: Texas-2017-HB1678-Introduced.html
  85R7640 LED-F
 
  By: Schofield H.B. No. 1678
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to privileged communications in workers' compensation
  insurance claims.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  The heading to Subchapter D, Chapter 2051,
  Insurance Code, is amended to read as follows:
  SUBCHAPTER D. DUTIES AND PROHIBITED ACTS; ENFORCEMENT; PRIVILEGED
  COMMUNICATIONS
         SECTION 2.  Subchapter D, Chapter 2051, Insurance Code, is
  amended by adding Section 2051.1515 to read as follows:
         Sec. 2051.1515.  PRIVILEGED COMMUNICATIONS BY CERTAIN
  INSURANCE COMPANIES AND POLICYHOLDERS. (a) This section applies
  to:
               (1)  an insurance company that issues a deductible
  policy under Subchapter E, Chapter 2053; and 
               (2)  the insurance company's policyholder who
  self-insures for the amount of the deductible under the policy.
         (b)  A communication between an insurance company or the
  company's representative and a policyholder or the policyholder's
  representative relating to the investigation, evaluation, or
  resolution of a claim, or resolution of disputes relating to the
  claim, under the policyholder's policy is privileged from
  disclosure.
         (c)  A communication described by Subsection (b) may not be
  disclosed unless the insurance company expressly waives the
  privilege established under Subsection (b).
         SECTION 3.  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.
feedback