On March 10, Associate Policy Director Karrington Anderson submitted written testimony to the Finance Committee in opposition to SB 90 – Workers’ Compensation – Occupational Disease Presumptions – Hypertension.
This bill would significantly expand existing workers’ compensation presumptions for paid firefighters, EMTs, and paramedics diagnosed with hypertension. Specifically, the legislation would presume not only that the condition is work-related, but also that it results in disablement, eliminating the need to demonstrate an inability to perform job duties before qualifying for benefits.
Counties warn that this shift would represent a notable change in Maryland’s workers’ compensation framework, potentially increasing claims and shifting the burden onto local governments to rebut conditions that are common in the general population.
By lowering the threshold in this manner, the bill would likely result in a
substantial increase in workers’ compensation claims. The burden would shift to counties to disprove the occupational connection of a condition that is prevalent in the general population and often develops over time. Given the strong legal weight afforded to statutory presumptions, such claims can be exceedingly difficult to rebut. Increased claims would translate into higher workers’ compensation costs, including long-term medical benefits and indemnity payments, further constraining the already limited resources for essential county services.
SB 90’s cross-file, HB 347, was heard on March 11 in the Economic Matters Committee. Karrington Anderson also submitted written testimony in opposition to this bill.
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