Proposal Would Tighten Rules for No-Shows, Clean Up Outdated Language

Parties who fail to show up for hearings in the Texas workers’ compensation system won’t get a second hearing unless they can show they had a good reason for missing the first, under one of numerous proposed rule changes posted in Friday’s state Register. Most of the proposed amendments to Chapter 28 of the Texas Administrative Code scrub outdated language from the rules, but several are aimed at helping administrative law judges run a tighter ship. The proposed amendment to Section 142.11 instructs judges to proceed with scheduled hearings even if one of the parties f...