Terry Canales, Texas State Representative of 40th District | Official Website
Terry Canales, Texas State Representative of 40th District | Official Website
More specifically, the official text was summarized by the state legislature as ’’Relating to the eligibility of certain first responders for workers' compensation benefits for post-traumatic stress disorder under the workers' compensation system’’.
The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.
This bill modifies the Texas Labor Code to expand workers' compensation coverage for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) affecting certain first responders. It designates PTSD as a compensable injury for peace officers, emergency medical service providers, and firefighters, provided the condition is diagnosed as being caused by specific events during their employment. The PTSD must be linked to workplace incidents with evidence suggesting those incidents were the primary cause. The bill redefines "date of injury" as the date first responders recognize the potential employment connection to PTSD. It stipulates that changes apply to claims for injuries occurring from September 1, 2025, onward, while previous cases will follow former legal provisions.
Terry Canales, chair of the House Committee on S/C on Transportation Funding and member of the House Committee on Transportation, proposed another six bills during the 89(R) legislative session.
Canales graduated from the University of the Incarnate Word and again from St. Mary's University School of Law with a JD.
Terry Canales is currently serving in the Texas State House, representing the state's 40th House district. He replaced previous state representative Aaron Peña in 2013.
Bills in Texas go through a multi-step legislative process, including committee review, debates, and votes in both chambers before reaching a final decision. Each session, there are typically thousands of bills introduced, but only a portion successfully navigate the process to become law.
You can read more about the bills and other measures here.
| Bill Number | Date Introduced | Short Description |
|---|---|---|
| HB 1697 | 03/12/2025 | Relating to the management, operation, and contract authority of open-enrollment charter schools |
| HB 1694 | 03/12/2025 | Relating to the eligibility of school bus drivers and cafeteria workers for unemployment compensation benefits |
| HB 1693 | 03/12/2025 | Relating to the financial audit of certain open-enrollment charter schools by the state auditor |
| HB 1678 | 03/12/2025 | Relating to the collection and disclosure of certain public information |
| HB 1666 | 03/12/2025 | Relating to the expunction of arrest records and files relating to certain nonviolent misdemeanor offenses |
| HB 1665 | 03/12/2025 | Relating to the payment of gratuities to certain employees |
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