On March 5, 2024, Associate Policy Director Brianna January testified before the Senate Finance Committee in opposition to SB 0431 - Workers' Compensation - Occupational Disease Presumption - Long COVID (Home of the Brave Act of 2024). This bill places long COVID as a new statutory presumption under workers' compensation for certain public sector employees. The bill applies to employees who, because of the nature of their roles, were unable to work from home during…

On February 28, 2024, Associate Policy Director Brianna January submitted a Letter of Information to the House Economic Matters Committee on HB 1145- Workers' Compensation- Occupational Disease Presumptions- Hypertension. This bill would greatly alter existing workers’ compensation benefits for volunteer and paid firefighters experiencing hypertension by expanding eligibility and minimizing current requirements. This year's version of the bill has additional testing and prescription requirements before a hypertension diagnosis is eligible for compensation. However, counties continue…

On February 27, 2024, Associate Policy Director Brianna January testified before the House Economic Matters Committee in support of HB 584- Workers' Compensation- Occupational Disease Presumptions- First Responders (Caring for Public Employees in the Safety Professions- CAPES Act) with amendments. This bill adds thyroid, ovarian, and colon cancer as presumptions for firefighters for the purpose of workers' compensation. Counties understand the bill's intent but are concerned about the fiscal impact of expanding presumptions. As such,…

On February 21, 2024, Associate Policy Director Brianna January testified before the House Economic Matters Committee in opposition to HB 669- Workers' Compensation- Benefits- Hearing Loss. This bill would expand existing eligibility for workers’ compensation related to hearing loss to include tinnitus and would void the current common-sense age-based deductions to account for natural, age-induced hearing loss. Under HB 669, workers’ compensation claims for tinnitus would no longer require disablement for eligibility, nor would they…

On February 14, 2024, Associate Policy Director Brianna January testified before the House Economic Matters Committee in opposition to HB 205- Unemployment Insurance Modernization Act of 2024. This bill significantly alters the way the state calculates unemployment insurance benefits and contributions. Under the bill, the minimum and maximum weekly unemployment benefits more than doubles, significantly increasing counties' claims responsibilities. From MACo Testimony: Under HB 205, the unemployment weekly minimum benefit would go up to 15…

On February 14, 2024, Associate Policy Director Brianna January testified before the House Economic Matters Committee in support of HB 571- Family and Medical Leave Insurance Program- Modifications with amendments. This bill modifies and alters certain aspects of the Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FAMLI) Program -- pushing back the timetable for its full implementation and effect, and authorizing fees to be applied to employers opting out of the State-run system. Of concern to counties…