Md. bill would broaden power of workers’ comp agency

The Maryland Senate has passed legislation that would expand the state’s authority to investigate employers who may not be paying for workers’ comp insurance, including giving investigators the power to enter businesses unannounced.

The legislation would authorize hiring more investigators for the Workers’ Compensation Commission and allow them to enter any place of business — including small and home businesses — and examine and copy business records to make sure employers are properly paying for workers’ comp insurance for their workers.