Workers' Compensation - Claims Application Form - Authorization for Release of Information
Summary
SB830 amends Maryland workers’ compensation claim application requirements for accidental personal injury, death claims, and occupational disease claims. The bill expands the authorization language that a claimant must sign so that medical and financial information may be released not only to the claimant’s attorney, employer, and employer’s insurer, but also to the Uninsured Employers’ Fund and the Subsequent Injury Fund, or their agents. It also clarifies that the authorization covers information relevant to the injured body part and the circumstances of the injury or disease.
The bill further broadens the types of records that may be disclosed. In addition to existing medical records such as histories, findings, charts, files, and examination notes, the authorization now expressly includes additional claims filed by the claimant and information in the custody of the Workers’ Compensation Commission. The authorization remains effective for one year from the filing date and continues to allow redisclosure to medical managers, health care professionals, and certified rehabilitation practitioners.
Impact
SB830 updates Sections 9-709, 9-710, and 9-711 of the Labor and Employment Article, changing the required release-of-information language in workers’ compensation claim forms. The practical effect is to give employers, insurers, the Uninsured Employers’ Fund, the Subsequent Injury Fund, and their representatives broader access to claim-related medical, financial, and Commission-held records when evaluating claims. The bill takes effect October 1, 2025.
Sentiment
The bill appears to have been broadly supported and noncontroversial in the legislative process. It passed the Senate 47-0 and the House 123-14, suggesting strong overall approval with some limited opposition in the House. No committee transcript was provided, and the voting pattern indicates general agreement that the changes were administrative or procedural rather than substantive policy shifts.
Contention
The main point of potential contention is the expansion of access to claimants’ information, especially the addition of financial information, Commission-held records, and references to additional claims filed by the claimant. Those changes may raise privacy concerns for injured workers and their advocates, while employers, insurers, and the workers’ compensation funds likely support the broader disclosure as useful for claim investigation and administration. The limited House opposition suggests any disagreement centered on the scope of information sharing rather than the overall purpose of the bill.