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MarylandHB 03472026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Workers' Compensation - Occupational Disease Presumptions - Hypertension

Sponsored By: Andrew C. Pruski (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

Workers' CompensationClaimsDisabilitiesEmergency Services -see also- Ambul; Emergencies; etc.Fire ProtectionMedical Conditions -see also- AIDS; COVID-19; rabiesPublic Employees -see also- State EmployeesRescue Squads -see also- Emergency Medical ServRules and Regulations

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.

Hypertension benefits expand for fire and rescue

Beginning October 1, 2026, Maryland presumes qualifying paid workers' hypertension is work-related and disabling for workers' compensation claims. Covered roles include firefighters, firefighting instructors, rescue squad members, advanced life support unit members, and sworn State Fire Marshal personnel. Covered employers are airport authorities, counties, fire control districts, municipalities, and the State. Workers need a hypertension diagnosis from a provider authorized under Workers' Compensation Commission rules. They must have been prescribed hypertension medication for at least 90 consecutive days. They also need at least 2 years of cumulative qualifying Maryland service and a covered paid job when applying. The presumption eases access to benefits, but claims still undergo legal review.

Benefit overlap limits for fire and rescue

Beginning October 1, 2026, the law limits overlapping benefits for covered paid fire and rescue workers. Workers who qualify under the hypertension presumption cannot also receive disability retirement benefits for the same condition. A collective bargaining agreement can allow an exception to that retirement limit. Workers can file claims under both the new hypertension presumption and the existing occupational disease presumption. But they cannot receive duplicate workers' compensation benefits for the same condition under those two rules.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Andrew C. Pruski

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Diana M. Fennell

    Democratic • House

  • Mike Rogers

    Democratic • House

  • Veronica Turner

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 175 • No: 2

Senate vote • 4/6/2026

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 46 • No: 0

House vote • 3/19/2026

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 129 • No: 2 • Other: 6

Actions Timeline

  1. Approved by the Governor - Chapter 300

    4/28/2026

  2. Returned Passed

    4/7/2026House

  3. Third Reading Passed (46-0)

    4/6/2026Senate

  4. Favorable Adopted Second Reading Passed

    3/31/2026Senate

  5. Favorable Report by Finance

    3/30/2026Senate

  6. Referred Finance

    3/20/2026Senate

  7. Third Reading Passed (129-2)

    3/19/2026House

  8. Second Reading Passed with Amendments

    3/19/2026House

  9. Favorable with Amendments {683121/1 Adopted

    3/19/2026House

  10. Favorable with Amendments Report by Economic Matters

    3/19/2026House

  11. Hearing 3/11 at 1:00 p.m.

    2/17/2026House

  12. First Reading Economic Matters

    1/19/2026House

Bill Text

  • Enacted

    4/28/2026

    PDF

  • Third Reading

    3/19/2026

    PDF

  • First Reading

    1/19/2026

    PDF

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