MACo Associate Director Andrea Mansfield and a panel of county representatives testified in support of HB 670 before the House Economic Matters Committee on March 10.  The bill, sponsored by Delegate Brian Feldman, would add a self-insured local government representative to the Joint Committee on Workers’ Compensation Benefit and Insurance Oversight.

Ms. Mansfield noted that self-insured counties have unique concerns not shared by existing Committee members.  She stated that counties employ a large number of public safety and first responders who are more likely to suffer injuries or death while on the job.  Many of those employees are subject to statutory presumptions for certain diseases and cancers, which do not apply to other employees.