CHAPTER 179
(Senate Bill 420)

AN ACT concerning

Workers' Compensation - Department of Natural Resources

FOR the purpose of providing that certain employees engaged for fire fighting by of
the Department of Natural Resources are covered employees for the purpose of
workers' compensation benefits; providing that certain paid law enforcement
paid law enforcement employees suffering from Lyme disease are presumed,
under certain circumstances, to have an occupational disease that was suffered
in the line of duty and is compensable in a certain manner; providing for a
certain exemption for certain individuals who object to a certain immunization
for religious reasons; and generally relating to workers' compensation benefits.

BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments,
Article - Labor and Employment
Section 9-207 and 9-503
Annotated Code of Maryland
(1991 Volume and 1998 Supplement)

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY' OF
MARYLAND, That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 

Article - Labor and Employment

9-207.

(a) A registered crew member, A PAID LAW ENFORCEMENT EMPLOYEE, , A
PAID LAW ENFORCEMENT EMPLOYEE, or an individual engaged for fire fighting by
the Department of Natural Resources is a covered employee.

(b) Notwithstanding § 9-203 of this subtitle, an individual engaged for fire
fighting who otherwise would be a covered employee under subsection (a) of this
section is a covered employee even if the fire fighting takes place outside of the State.

(e) AN EMPLOYEE WHOSE POSITION REGULARLY PLACES THAT EMPLOYEE IN
WOODS, FIELDS, OR GRASSY OUTDOORS IS A COVERED EMPLOYEE.

(C) Notwithstanding § 9-205 of this subtitle, an individual who
otherwise would be a covered employee under subsection (a) of this section is a
covered employee even if engaged temporarily or part time.

(d) (E) (D) For the purpose of this title, the Department of Natural
Resources is the employer of an individual who is a covered employee under this
section.