[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6661585,"mediaKeyId","2407323-73b9b7afd8fa218bca7f092872b68269","parentId",2407323,"title","Firefighters press lawmakers to clarify compensation rule for hypertension after denials at commission","audioSeconds",883,"startMs",6616000,"endMs",7499000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2407323-73b9b7afd8fa218bca7f092872b68269&start=6616&end=7499","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2407323-73b9b7afd8fa218bca7f092872b68269/thumbnail_6616000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6661585/Maryland/Firefighters-press-lawmakers-to-clarify-compensation-rule-for-hypertension-after-denials-at-commission","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6661585-a400d81b03eb6644269c5d16c5b954bd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771146990&Signature=ZBzB8bHCCkzODALhPbRkJrO2H3imvVhdrUJ-G4ik2q4mvHumnb0X4Yl-ngF3Z76lYnjZNzpD6-R7gnnNziTIT0HkGNCZqa4PZ1Oiqmo4DNBy0xSc6FT7o1x89qNqkKKZokcQQAT6VZZe4FrEFHqtWGXzJH2PFUZxcvTNcKRVMdViUFFw2RPy3LkN7JeU4879k4NGDGXNYLRMRn6PqHzdhCh9ZnK7ZuHjMqcVpx1RI8J-TWszct-i7sxJlGi1zAwLbmKjFt3G-D9rdbYgTgiKlqf-8cBES6x5hOcuuvof~eth2VGuEVJH-JC9YkyH1UiGuZVA9uRXRkb0qL2nJYWK1A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Maryland General Assembly - Economic Matters","date","2025-02-26T22:50:07.493Z","article","Representatives of Maryland's career and volunteer fire services urged the House Economic Matters Committee to pass House Bill 217, which would revise the statutory presumption that hypertension among firefighters is an occupational disease so that qualifying elevated blood pressure and treatment would meet the law's disablement requirement for compensation.

\"Hypertension affects about three out of four first responders,\" said Dale Bowen of the Maryland State Firefighters Association, noting that cardiovascular disease accounts for a large share of line-of-duty deaths. Attorney Charlie Schultz, who represents firefighters in compensation cases, said hypertension is \"commonly referred to as the silent killer\" and that the current requirement that a worker show missed workdays often prevents meritorious claims from proceeding.

Several firefighters described personal episodes and denials at the Workers' Compensation Commission. Firefighter Monte Arrington testified that a recent asymptomatic episode left him home for seven days for treatment but a subsequent claim was denied on disablement grounds.

Opponents including the Maryland Defense Counsel and the American Property Casualty Insurance Association urged the committee to reject or amend the bill. They said the commission already evaluates disablement on a case-by-case basis, that hypertension standards are evaluated under National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) medical standards and that allowing non-physician experts or changing the disablement standard could create legal and evidentiary disputes. MDC said historically most hypertension claims handled by Chesapeake Employers were not denied for lack of disablement and expressed concern about unintended consequences.

The committee did not vote. Members asked proponents and opponents to consider technical revisions to ensure the bill targets only the disability-test issue for hypertension and to avoid broader changes in evidentiary standards for other occupational diseases.

Ending: Sponsors argued the measure would better protect firefighters from a life-threatening condition; opponents warned the statutory change could produce procedural and evidentiary conflicts at adjudication. The committee asked both sides to negotiate narrower language.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","ECM Committee Session, 2/26/2025 #1","oneSentenceSummary","Firefighters told the House Economic Matters Committee that Workers' Compensation Commission interpretations of \"disablement\" have blocked compensation claims for hypertension and urged passage of House Bill 217 to clarify the standard.","taxTitle","Economic Matters Committee, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Committees, Legislative, Maryland","taxId",15059,"location","Maryland","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6661600,"Attorney General urges broader enforcement power in bid to curb wage theft and misclassification",2507,377000,2884000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2407323-73b9b7afd8fa218bca7f092872b68269&start=377&end=2884","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2407323-73b9b7afd8fa218bca7f092872b68269/thumbnail_377000.jpg","/articles/6661600/Maryland/Attorney-General-urges-broader-enforcement-power-in-bid-to-curb-wage-theft-and-misclassification","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6661600-e01138d582332cd73bb3883eb6ea918d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771146990&Signature=aSxynmJ~htEwA~3GgCR4eb5bqWqJYWuZeoCFXAOuRtRYJ9oIWdancoOO6ijtCup3vwxAXpsNElIL0pRX8yo8HwNBQ3Q41uIzKkwo-CqqM0WsZLAshWLdOX7FxHKFlF7qfQTEi5ednZT2WdGzpP9a~iiVzyToL22fTbF5hNMe2WraPSeumGbQIsCw9PbBVjuEEZcLtlKMGxVK35mVPB~7E5FjOOao4n3BIlk0GTKw6WPDcPYEMkrAUvScHd9x~5SVtszoXsQI6xum1DwbRllTJJoWwn2RP2MUBZMcylNxUOJJFPlIQ-0nk1GXnTsnGBE1nrG4Zyyx1ud4RGmpMIXFZg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Attorney General Anthony Brown urged the House Economic Matters Committee on Feb. 26 to give his office new authority to pursue wage theft and worker misclassification across all industries through House Bill 1096, the Prevention and Worker Protections Act.

\"This bill is about fairness,\" Brown said in opening remarks, explaining the measure would expand the state's Workplace Fraud Act beyond construction and landscaping and create a worker protection unit in the Attorney General's Office. He cited a recent District of Columbia enforcement action that returned $3,750,000 to harmed construction workers as an example of the kind of impact he said Maryland could achieve.

The bill, as described by Assistant Attorney General Heather Heilman, would permit the Attorney General to bring actions to enforce the Workplace Fraud Act and related statutes including the Maryland Wage and Hour Law, the Wage Payment and Collection Law and the Prevailing Wage Law. Heilman said the measure \"creates liability for general contractors, higher level contractors and successors,\" increases penalties, adds licensing and debarment consequences for violators and authorizes litigation as an enforcement tool.

Supporters at the hearing included unions, legal-aid groups and worker-advocacy organizations. Megan McDermott of Maryland Legal Aid said low-income workers are \"especially vulnerable to workplace fraud, wage theft, and poor working conditions,\" and urged the committee to advance the bill. Labor and construction unions said they back the provision that would hold general contractors responsible when subcontractors misclassify workers or steal wages.

Business groups and gig platforms opposed parts of the bill. Representatives from DoorDash and Uber warned it could reclassify thousands of independent contractors and reduce flexibility for couriers and drivers; DoorDash told the committee that roughly 220,000 Marylanders dash on its platform and that 91% of dashers prefer the flexibility of platform work. The Maryland Chamber and construction trade groups raised concerns about joint and successor liability and about removing the existing safe-harbor affidavit that contractors can use to show a subcontractor maintains payroll taxes, unemployment insurance and required licenses.

Committee members pressed several technical and constitutional issues. Chair Wilson and others questioned the bill's language on investigatory authority, including provisions on administrative inspections and potential penalties for \"hindering\" an investigation. Brown, Heilman and a former labor secretary on the panel, Leonard Howie, said the office would follow existing legal limits, obtain judicial authorization where required and work with the Department of Labor to clarify coordination and avoid duplicative enforcement. Secretary Portia Wu of the Maryland Department of Labor testified informationally and said the department supports stronger tools but warned that concurrent enforcement powers could produce inconsistent outcomes if not carefully coordinated.

Brown told the committee the Attorney General's Office is complaint-driven and said it was not requesting new staff immediately, but would seek resources if the authority is granted and additional funding is available in the future. Brown and supporters said the bill could be refined in amendments and urged the committee to advance the measure to allow further negotiations.

The committee did not vote during the hearing. Members said they expected additional stakeholder meetings and possible amendments to address concerns on warrantless searches, the scope of general-contractor liability, protections for small subcontractors and how private litigation and attorney-fee recovery would operate under an expanded public enforcement role.

Ending: The bill generated extensive testimony from labor groups, unions, legal-aid advocates, business associations and platform companies. Supporters emphasized worker restitution and stronger enforcement; opponents warned of unintended consequences for small contractors and platform workers. Committee members asked for clarifying language and signaled willingness to negotiate amendments before any final action.","Attorney General Anthony Brown urged the House Economic Matters Committee on Feb. 26 to give his office new authority to pursue wage theft and worker misclassification across all industries through House Bill 1096, the Prevention and Worker Protections Act.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6661580,"Uninsured Employers Fund seeks higher assessment after revenue drop; insurers split on level",102,10114000,10216000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2407323-73b9b7afd8fa218bca7f092872b68269&start=10114&end=10216","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2407323-73b9b7afd8fa218bca7f092872b68269/thumbnail_10114000.jpg","/articles/6661580/Maryland/Uninsured-Employers-Fund-seeks-higher-assessment-after-revenue-drop-insurers-split-on-level","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6661580-40f124aa3d7864e63567143935286d69/orig.mp4?Expires=1771146990&Signature=d6DiDkNba7GD7haMV1TKtSkL8oChCK62GcArX5ZxKQeQ4POB~LCJAeS2~rO75Hh9ToRKRQ3SICgsZI8U0~SBMUvNSSXH4XX453f8q9PZ7zHYHUa9QVSS~x09dyfKQH8qT1lKygkQqFwAPBv9860coO4SZDqHL9XxKlHlOhlF5YfIh1Z~VnJ8pS7HY76UWSU286f8g-dP-BELp5DpHAISLKHTzsmMnqj5ZdWum0dDpB0pW56Yu5kI~3kjA6~T9jgZqwNWd0t1cGItJ02MuwinGTdOR6U17SS0N6N~Mae5D6nDHsaCejKV-~HuXFgrsYsgqABFK7fumaND3P-~D5VL0w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Michael Burns, director of Maryland's Uninsured Employers Fund (UEF), told the House Economic Matters Committee that the fund has seen a decline in assessment revenue and asked the legislature to authorize an increase in the statutory assessment cap to preserve solvency for injured workers.

Burns said the UEF receives no direct tax dollars and is funded primarily by assessments on workers'compensation orders; those receipts have fallen by roughly $2.4 million over the past two fiscal years, he said. He asked the committee to approve an increase in the assessment applied to most commission orders from the current 1% (plus an available second 1%) to permit the board to raise the assessment as needed. Burns said the board and agency would consider a smaller increase as a negotiated compromise.

Chesapeake Employers and the Injured Workers Insurance Fund testified they support the bill with an amendment to raise the assessment by 0.5% rather than 1%, and they urged complementary changes to UEF governance and reserve requirements (Senate Bill 695 was cited as a companion governance measure). Insurance-industry trade groups opposed the bill as written and warned that added assessments are ultimately passed to employers and consumers via premiums.

Opponents also urged enhanced oversight and an outside audit of reserve assumptions: Maryland Defense Counsel and the American Property Casualty Insurance Association said some fiscal and governance reforms should accompany any assessment change to protect ratepayers and ensure the fund's long-term stability.

The committee did not vote. Lawmakers asked that the sponsor and the administration continue work on a compromise that balances fund solvency with employer costs and governance reforms.","The Uninsured Employers Fund director told the committee that collections have fallen and asked for authority to raise the statutory assessment cap. Chesapeake Employers proposed a smaller increase and said accompanying governance reforms would resolve long-term solvency; defenders of existing structure urged caution and oversight changes first.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6661590,"Bill to pilot child-support arrearage-to-work program wins backing from advocates",100,4679000,4779000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2407323-73b9b7afd8fa218bca7f092872b68269&start=4679&end=4779","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2407323-73b9b7afd8fa218bca7f092872b68269/thumbnail_4679000.jpg","/articles/6661590/Maryland/Bill-to-pilot-child-support-arrearage-to-work-program-wins-backing-from-advocates","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6661590-1b649c83e9285e37ae21caebbd3487fa/orig.mp4?Expires=1771146990&Signature=Jl2hD0eTS5CNGJBNTNMNSVEfkzyKQOdkR-UC7jJO3DZZ8xheJk2KenpFIE08T2ARecFxdzWpCrBhiVwF17OuYOiPCzxNFMGMuu2h3U22lP64UAZMNWoghaW7~-mSiU9uje6mvOOwGOHberaZFgsgcgqLSjeSUq7bRnrF2yrf~g7rIsGxHIx63GvXeoqcxanb2Rpj0dwM1C9uRab1AvP7nblzwBhEm37SUSdftdM-qv57n~qsrYCsCkvEua6oavmYXfKLbcWKkDL3LFpuohSbItaPmNZ49YzD415YAZ6ColH-ZLzlhBO5x~0iB7Y5nCmVlzWG6ZiLsqHAwQAPqY5sMg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Delegate Malcolm Ruff told the committee that House Bill 1126 would create a Child Support Arrearage to Work pilot program to connect unemployed or underemployed parents who owe child support arrears to work opportunities — including positions in state government — and thereby reduce collections barriers and recidivist penalties.

\"By next year, the Department of Labor will report back to us with recommendations on how to strengthen and expand this initiative,\" Ruff said, framing the program as a partnership among the Department of Labor, Department of Human Services and the Department of Budget and Management.

Christopher Duis of Out for Justice and the Center for Urban Families described the program as a practical tool for people returning from incarceration and for low-income workers who otherwise face license suspensions, tax interceptions or wage garnishment when they fall behind on child support. Zach Alberts of the Center for Urban Families added that \"two thirds of Marylanders on child support are low income,\" arguing employment pathways reduce arrears and improve outcomes for children.

No opposition testimony was offered. Committee members did not take a vote during the hearing and asked for additional implementation details and cost estimates from the administering agencies.

Ending: Proponents said the pilot would reduce legal and administrative barriers to employment and help people regain financial stability, but the committee sought a formal plan for data sharing, privacy safeguards and measurable outcomes before advancing the measure.","Delegate Malcolm Ruff proposed a pilot program to connect parents with child-support arrears to state employment opportunities. Testimony from Baltimore workforce organizations and community groups called the measure a pathway to steady work and a way to reduce enforcement penalties that trap people in poverty.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6661595,"Committee hears proposals to raise Maryland's maximum unemployment benefit and update taxable wage base",1411,2100000,3511000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2407323-73b9b7afd8fa218bca7f092872b68269&start=2100&end=3511","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2407323-73b9b7afd8fa218bca7f092872b68269/thumbnail_2100000.jpg","/articles/6661595/Maryland/Committee-hears-proposals-to-raise-Marylands-maximum-unemployment-benefit-and-update-taxable-wage-base","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6661595-3dde7e374341987f714e69e9267e2c34/orig.mp4?Expires=1771146990&Signature=IGx6MGqhO99f5GDuiMmX5xtw-ngbeN6j1F-HPYUvf9JWnXP6~dSRILljnfKRRKKH-pZTeUUbu5tdvST1DJSUyNE7Ds7kx1v4go4QDv5Ux1Jm7aHvnjD94PgP4aPZazt-DFZ8rpvLFiSxnN5dXSdAtaGhohZYDYZMAKjrtnw~k9E5dt6f2F0Qsc5GTA3aNre8DRDxdXqLP-XfVH6oNb4FnWo-uWnD97YHNffUiI6M8Ppkm5qaO4riDLjSVeYJNJkrXi3~~sPwUJzsmq-HYH2xriQHqU82f13CSs8uKD32zPX1sH3T8ySZ1x8sBQ3y5DxCpfsYGJTB1PSUR1n1RWBiGw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Delegate Lorig Charkoudian presented House Bill 554 on Feb. 26, proposing a series of changes to Maryland's unemployment insurance system intended to increase weekly benefits and shore up the state UI trust fund.

The bill would raise the maximum weekly benefit from the current cap of $430 to 50% of the state's average weekly wage (about $746 based on testimony), and would update the taxable wage base (the portion of wages subject to UI tax) that has remained at $8,500 since 1992. Charkoudian said the changes are designed to keep benefits meaningful, improve job matching and stabilize the trust fund against future downturns.

Supporters, including labor representatives and community groups, said higher benefits reduce financial distress for families, help sustain local economies and allow more efficient job matching. Lona Muckle of the CASH Campaign noted that many clients earn under $20,000 a year and that UI is a vital safety net. Union witnesses testified that construction workers and other intermittently employed trades rely on UI between jobs.

Opponents from NFIB, the Maryland Chamber and the Retailers Alliance warned the committee the bill would raise employer UI taxes substantially. NFIB said the fiscal note foresees large increases in employer contributions as the taxable wage base grows; the business groups urged a broader discussion or staged approach, and suggested convening the UI oversight panel. Several opponents highlighted the bill's automatic indexing mechanisms and long-term fiscal impacts on small employers.

Charkoudian said the bill builds on extensive prior study, including work by the Upjohn Institute and the Department of Labor, and modeled scenarios showing the trust fund is at risk if current parameters remain unchanged. She and proponents argued that modest increases in benefit levels have only a small effect on average duration of unemployment and produce net gains in earnings and economic activity.

No final action was taken. Committee members expressed interest in additional fiscal modeling and potential amendments to address employer concerns and the trust fund's long-term solvency.","Delegate Lorig Charkoudian and supporters told the Economic Matters Committee that House Bill 554 would raise the maximum weekly unemployment benefit from $430 to 50% of the average weekly wage and update the taxable wage base (currently $8,500) to shore up the UI trust fund. Supporters said boosted benefits help households and local economies;","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Firefighters press lawmakers to clarify compensation rule for hypertension after denials at commission

Attorney General urges broader enforcement power in bid to curb wage theft and misclassification

Uninsured Employers Fund seeks higher assessment after revenue drop; insurers split on level

Bill to pilot child-support arrearage-to-work program wins backing from advocates

Committee hears proposals to raise Maryland's maximum unemployment benefit and update taxable wage base