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SB 227 Maryland Senate · 2025 Regular Session

Workers' Compensation - Payment From Uninsured Employers' Fund - Revisions

SB 227 revises Maryland's process for paying workers' compensation claims when employers lack insurance. It requires the Workers' Compensation Commission to make the Uninsured Employers' Fund a party to claims against uninsured employers and allows injured workers or their dependents to directly apply to the Fund for payment after 15 days of demanding payment from the employer. The Fund can now pay awards directly, seek reimbursement from the uninsured employer (even if an appeal is pending), and raise defenses similar to the employer. This change primarily affects workers injured by uninsured employers and streamlines how the Fund handles these claims.
Issues: ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill streamlines access to workers' comp benefits for injured workers when employers are uninsured, protecting their right to timely compensation through direct Fund payments.95% confidence
Bill status vetoed 4 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Oct 2024
Committee Review
Apr 2025
Senate Passage
Apr 2025
House of Delegates Passage
Apr 2025
Vetoed
May 2025
Introduced Oct 12, 2024 Vetoed May 16, 2025
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What changed between versions

First - Workers' Compensation - Payment From Uninsured Employers' Fund - Revisions → Third - Workers' Compensation - Payment From Uninsured Employers' Fund - Revisions · 6 edits
MODERATE
SB 227 was revised to expand its scope by adding new sections addressing offset/credit of awards against previously paid benefits, requiring the Uninsured Employers' Fund to begin paying compensation under specific provisions, and clarifying the Fund's role as a party in claims against uninsured employers. The revision also updates the bill's title and repealed sections to reflect these substantive policy changes.
Scope change
The bill now repeals and reenacts three sections (9-610.1, 9-727, and 9-1002) instead of just one, significantly expanding its scope to include new provisions about benefit offsets and the Fund's payment obligations.
SCOPE

Added new Section 9-610.1 authorizing the Workers' Compensation Commission to offset or credit awards against previously paid vocational rehabilitation and temporary total disability benefits, preventing double compensation.

Changed the repealed sections from just 9-1002 to include 9-610.1 and 9-727, expanding the bill's legislative reach.

REQUIREMENT

Added Section 9-727 requiring employers or insurers to begin paying compensation within 15 days after an award is made or payment is due.

Added Section 9-727 requiring the Uninsured Employers' Fund to begin paying compensation in accordance with existing law when triggered.

ENFORCEMENT

Added new provisions clarifying that the Fund may raise defenses to claims and may implead other employers and insurers to the claim.

TECHNICAL

Updated bill header information including committee report status, Senate action dates, and page numbering formatting.

Floor votes · Senate Feb 23, 2025 · House of Delegates Mar 24, 2025

How they voted

46–0
Passed
Total votes 46
Feb 23, 2025
D Democratic33
33 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican13
13 Yea
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
16
Key actions
9
Committee
6
May 16, 2025
Vetoed
Vetoed by the Governor (Policy)
executive
Apr 7, 2025
Upper · Passed
Returned Passed
upper
Apr 7, 2025
Lower · Passed
Third Reading Passed
lower
Apr 4, 2025
Lower · Passed
Favorable Adopted Second Reading Passed
lower
Apr 3, 2025
Lower · Passed
Favorable Report by Economic Matters
lower
Mar 24, 2025
House Of Delegates · Passed
House of Delegates Vote: pass (130-5-4)
house of delegates
Mar 14, 2025
Committee
Referred Economic Matters
lower
Mar 12, 2025
Upper · Passed
Third Reading Passed
upper
Mar 11, 2025
Upper · Passed
Favorable with Amendments {
upper
Mar 10, 2025
Upper · Passed
Favorable with Amendments Report by Finance
upper
Feb 23, 2025
Senate · Passed
Senate Vote: pass (46-0)
senate
Jan 8, 2025
Committee
First Reading Finance
upper
Oct 12, 2024
Introduced
Pre-filed
upper
0 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

No sponsor information available.