WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

HB 1210

Workers' Compensation - Evaluation of Permanent Impairments - Licensed Certified Social Worker-Clinical

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Jason Buckel and 2 co-sponsors

Maryland bill expands workers' compensation permanent impairment evaluations to include Licensed Certified Social Workers-Clinical, potentially improving access for psychological injury assessments.

Hearing 3/20 at 1:30 p.m.
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 1210

Legislative bill overview

HB 1210 expands Maryland's workers' compensation system to recognize Licensed Certified Social Workers-Clinical (LCSW-C) as qualified professionals to evaluate permanent impairments in injured workers. Currently, only physicians and certain other licensed professionals can conduct these evaluations, which determine compensation levels and benefits.

Why is this important

Permanent impairment evaluations directly affect how much compensation injured workers receive and whether they qualify for ongoing benefits. Expanding who can conduct these evaluations could increase access to assessments, potentially reduce wait times, and allow evaluation of psychological and functional impacts of workplace injuries—areas where social workers have clinical expertise.

Potential points of contention

  • Scope creep concerns: Opponents may argue that adding LCSW-Cs without physician oversight could compromise evaluation consistency and medical rigor, potentially leading to inappropriate benefit awards or denials
  • Insurance cost impacts: Employers and insurers may worry this broadens evaluation access in ways that increase workers' compensation claims and premium costs
  • Professional turf disputes: Medical professionals may resist expanding evaluation authority to non-physician practitioners, citing liability and standardization concerns

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.