Some volunteers for the state can get medical benefits for injury-related services, but they must meet the section’s conditions and report the injury on time.
Sec. 501.026. COVERAGE FOR CERTAIN SERVICES PROVIDED BY VOLUNTEERS. (a) In this section, "disaster" means an occurrence in which the governor has issued a declaration of a state of disaster under Chapter 418, Government Code, or another occurrence that initiates the state emergency management plan. (b) A person not otherwise covered by workers' compensation insurance for the services performed under this section who performs volunteer services for the state in a disaster or in scheduled emergency response training under the direction of an officer or employee of the state is entitled to medical benefits under this chapter for an injury sustained by the person in the course of providing those services. For purposes of this subsection, an injury is not sustained in the course of providing services in a disaster unless the injury occurs while the state of disaster may reasonably be considered to be in existence. (c) A person employed by a political subdivision who is injured in the course of providing services described by Subsection (b) is entitled to benefits as provided by that subsection only if the services are performed outside the jurisdiction of the political subdivision by which the person is employed. (d) A person entitled to benefits under this section may receive the benefits only if the person seeks medical attention from a doctor for the injury not later than 48 hours after the occurrence of the injury or after the date the person knew or should have known the injury occurred. The person shall comply with the requirements of Section 409.001 by providing notice of the injury to the division or the state agency with which the officer or employee under Subsection (b) is associated. Added by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 985, Sec. 1, eff. June 18, 1999. Amended by: Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 265 (H.B. 7), Sec. 3.290, eff. September 1, 2005.