New Maryland Legislation for Firefighters With Hypertension

On April 28, 2026, Governor Moore signed Maryland House Bill 347, titled “Workers’ Compensation – Occupational Disease Presumptions – Hypertension.” This legislation provides workers’ compensation protections for certain firefighters, firefighting instructors, rescue squad members, advanced life support unit members, and members of the Office of the State Fire Marshal who suffer from hypertension.

Under the Act, a covered individual is presumed to have a compensable occupational disease if the following requirements are met:

1. The individual has been diagnosed with hypertension by an authorized provider, as defined by regulations adopted by the Maryland Workers’ Compensation Commission;
2. The individual has been prescribed medication to treat hypertension for at least 90 consecutive days;
3. The individual has completed at least two years of cumulative service within the State of Maryland as a paid firefighter, paid firefighting instructor, paid rescue squad member, paid advanced life support unit member, or sworn member of the Office of the State Fire Marshal employed by an airport authority, county, fire control district, municipality, or the State; and
4. At the time the claim is filed, the individual is actively employed in one of the covered positions listed above.

A significant change under this legislation is that covered employees may receive workers’ compensation benefits for hypertension while continuing to work. Under the prior law, a firefighter generally had to demonstrate disablement and an inability to work in order to receive benefits for hypertension. The new Act eliminates that requirement for active employees. However, retired firefighters are not eligible for benefits under the new legislation and must instead pursue claims under the prior statutory framework.

This legislation is expected to have a substantial impact on employers and insurers. By creating a presumption that hypertension is an occupational disease for covered employees, the Act makes it more difficult to contest compensability. In the past, a firefighter who continued working despite a hypertension diagnosis was unlikely to receive workers’ compensation benefits. Under the new law, employers and insurers may be required to provide benefits even when the claimant remains actively employed.

Additionally, hypertension is a chronic condition that often requires ongoing medical monitoring, regular physician visits, and long-term medication management. As a result, employers and insurers may face significant long-term exposure for medical benefits associated with these claims, potentially extending for many years.

The Act takes effect on October 1, 2026.

Written by Molly C. Murray, Esq.