Various States 2026 Proposed Legislation

Maryland: Legislation is being proposed that would broaden the pool of professionals who can assess permanent impairments in Workers’ Compensation claims.  It would authorize “licensed certified social workers” to conduct impairment evaluations

Maryland: Legislation is being proposed that would consider hypertension to be presumptively covered as an occupational disease.

Vermont: Legislation is being proposed that would expand PTSD benefits to 911 dispatchers.

Virginia: Legislation is being proposed that would expand PTSD provisions to the “exacerbation” of preexisting mental health conditions for first responders.

Virginia: Legislation is being proposed that would expand Workers’ Compensation cancer presumptions to sheriffs and deputies.

Arizona: Legislation is being proposed that would expand employer heat-illness prevention duties.

Kentucky: Legislation is being proposed that would presumptively broaden Workers’ Compensation benefits to certain psychological conditions for first responders.   

Washington State: There is a lot of legislation being proposed in this state:

• MPN + Inducement Prohibition/Penalty. Legislation around the prohibition and penalty for a state fund or self-insured employer directing or steering a worker’s medical care to a specific provider. The original form of this bill prohibited an employer “requiring or in any way inducing” an injured worker to treat with a specific provider or clinic.  Then the bill was changed to provide clarity that an employer is not prohibited from providing on-site medical care to a worker at the worker’s own choice.
• PT/OT as Attending Provider.  Legislation that would allow a PT/OT to be the authorized treating physician.
• PTSD Presumption for Local Correctional Workers. Legislation adding PTSD presumptions for new first responder-adjacent occupations.