MD HB347

Paid firefighters, firefighting instructors, rescue squad members, advanced life support unit members, and sworn members of the Office of the State Fire Marshal with hypertension are presumed to have a compensable occupational disease and are presumed disabled under workers' compensation law

Qualifying individuals must have a hypertension diagnosis from an authorized provider, be prescribed medication for at least 90 consecutive days, have completed at least 2 years of cumulative service in Maryland, and be currently employed in a covered position at time of claim

Individuals receiving compensation under this new hypertension presumption cannot also receive disability retirement benefits for the same condition

Those with heart disease or lung disease under the existing presumption must file separate workers' compensation claims from hypertension claims

Effective date: October 1, 2026