establishing a study committee to study the equitable division of property in divorce proceedings.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Joe Alexander

HB 1404 lets licensed certified social workers–clinical register as WCC rehabilitation practitioners to deliver vocational rehab to injured workers, expanding access.

Refer for Interim Study: MA VV 03/11/2026 HJ 7 P. 2

Purpose / Intent

HB 1404 allows individuals licensed as a certified social worker–clinical to register with the State Workers’ Compensation Commission (WCC) as rehabilitation practitioners authorized to provide vocational rehabilitation services under Maryland workers’ compensation law. The change recognizes licensed clinical social workers as an additional category of professionals that can deliver rehabilitation services to injured workers.

Key provisions

Adds “licensed certified social worker–clinical” to the statutory list of persons who qualify as a “rehabilitation practitioner.”

Specifies that existing supervision rules that apply to some rehabilitation counselors and vocational evaluators do not apply to a licensed certified social worker–clinical when working as a rehabilitation practitioner.

Makes violations of rules adopted by the State Board of Social Work Examiners (which licenses certified social workers–clinical) a ground for denial, suspension, or revocation of a WCC rehabilitation practitioner registration (mirroring similar enforcement provisions for other practitioner types).

Preserves WCC’s authority to establish the application process and fees by regulation (current standard registration fee noted in related analysis is $150 and registrations are valid for three years).

Effective date (as introduced): October 1, 2025.

Who is affected

Licensed certified social workers–clinical: gain an explicit statutory pathway to register and provide vocational rehabilitation services in workers’ compensation cases without some of the supervision constraints that apply to other practitioner types.

Injured workers: may have expanded access to rehabilitation services delivered by clinical social workers.

Employers, insurers, and WCC: will interact with an expanded pool of registered rehabilitation practitioners.

Small businesses employing social workers: potential increased business opportunities related to workers’ compensation rehabilitation services.

Fiscal and administrative impact

State (WCC) special fund revenues: likely a minimal increase beginning in FY 2026 from additional registration fees; exact amount depends on how many social workers register.

WCC administration: analysis indicates the Commission can review additional applications and administer registrations using existing resources.

Local governments: not expected to have a material fiscal effect.

Small business effect: potentially meaningful for businesses that employ or contract with licensed clinical social workers.

Procedural / implementation notes

WCC will implement registration processes and may adopt or amend regulations to incorporate the new practitioner category and enforcement mechanisms.

Registrants remain subject to discipline if they violate licensing board rules; the bill ties compliance with the State Board of Social Work Examiners’ rules to registration eligibility.

The bill aligns with prior similar proposals in recent sessions and carries a cross-file reference in legislative materials (CF 5lr2960).

If you want, I can draft a one-page briefing with talking points for stakeholders (employers, social work boards, or rehabilitation providers) or compare this bill to prior sessions’ versions.

Bill