On March 11, Associate Policy Director Karrington Anderson submitted written testimony to the Finance Committee in support of SB 804 – Labor and Employment - Occupational Safety and Health - Revisions to Heat Stress Standards with amendments.  This bill codifies and clarifies requirements governing workplace heat stress protections that were previously adopted through Maryland Occupational Safety and Health regulations. SB 804 requires employers, including counties, to develop heat stress prevention plans, acclimatization plans, high-heat procedures,…

On March 11, Associate Policy Director Karrington Anderson testified before the Economic Matters Committee in opposition to HB 366 – Workers' Compensation - Exemption From Exclusivity of Remedy - Action for Wrongful Death by Nondependent Child.  This bill would allow non-dependent children of an employee, including adult children, to bring a wrongful death lawsuit against an employer in court outside of the workers’ compensation system. As such, it would allow claims for damages not available…

On March 11, Associate Policy Director Karrington Anderson testified before the Economic Matters Committee in opposition to HB 346 – Workers' Compensation - Vocational Rehabilitation Services - Retroactive Compensation.  This bill requires an employer or insurer to continue paying temporary total disability (TTD) benefits for up to 60 days after an injured worker reaches maximum medical improvement (MMI) if there is a delay before vocational rehabilitation services begin. Known as the “gap period,” this timeframe…

On March 10, Associate Policy Director Karrington Anderson submitted a letter of information to the Finance Committee on SB 579 – Counties - No-Cost Preventive Cancer Screenings for Volunteer Firefighters. This bill mandates that counties provide no-cost preventive cancer screenings to each firefighter who volunteers with a volunteer fire company. Screenings must align with the latest guidelines issued by the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF). Counties may satisfy this requirement by either providing a…

On March 3, Associate Policy Director Karrington Anderson testified before the Government, Labor, and Elections Committee in opposition to HB 831 - Collective Bargaining - Local Government Employees and Public Employee Relations Act.  This bill mandates collective bargaining rights for local government employees statewide and significantly alters local government labor relations. HB 831 raises concerns about a sweeping, state-mandated collective bargaining framework that would apply uniformly to every county, regardless of size, structure, or existing…

On February 19, Associate Policy Director Sarah Sample testified before the Finance Committee in opposition to SB 439 - Employment Discrimination - Fire and Rescue Public Safety Employees - Use of Medical Cannabis.  This bill prohibits an employer from disciplining or discharging a fire and rescue public safety employee for the use of cannabis if the employee possesses a written certification. While counties recognize evolving state law regarding cannabis and support clear workplace standards, SB…