Maryland lawmakers will consider carryover bills from 2023 to create a post-traumatic stress disorder presumption for first responders and a hypertension presumption for firefighters.
H.B. 1069, introduced Feb. 2, would permit a first responder who is diagnosed by a licensed psychologist or psychiatrist with PTSD to be presumed, under certain circumstances, to have a compensable occupational disease that was suffered in the line of duty. Last year’s bill died in committee.
H.B. 1145, introduced Wednesday, states that certain firefighters, fire-fighting instructors, rescue squad members, advanced life support unit members, and members of the Office of the State Fire Marshal would qualify for workers compensation if they are diagnosed with hypertension if certain requirements are met. A similar bill introduced last year also died in committee.