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When are Domestic Workers Covered under Maryland Workers’ Compensation Law?

14 Sep, 2026 Frank Ferreri

                               
Compliance Corner

For those who employ domestic workers in Maryland, when does state law say workers' compensation coverage needs to kick in? Thanks to Simply Research, we found out.

Covered Employees

An individual who is employed as a domestic worker in a private home is a covered employee with respect to a household if the individual earns at least $1,000 in cash in a calendar quarter from that household.

An individual and the employer of the individual may elect to make the individual a covered employee by filing a joint election with the Commission, if the individual:

(i) is employed as a domestic worker in a private home; and

(ii) would not be a covered employee with respect to a household because the individual earns less than $1,000 in cash in a calendar quarter from that household.

Whose Right is It?

The right to make an election for an individual may be exercised by:

(i) an individual who is at least 16 years old; or

(ii) a parent or guardian of an individual who is less than 16 years old.

Opt-in Provision

For an individual who is not a covered employee, an employer may not make an election under this subsection if prohibited by federal law.

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    About The Author

    • Frank Ferreri

      Frank Ferreri, M.A., J.D. covers workers' compensation legal issues. He has published books, articles, and other material on multiple areas of employment, insurance, and disability law. Frank received his master's degree from the University of South Florida and juris doctor from the University of Florida Levin College of Law. Frank encourages everyone to consider helping out the Kind Souls Foundation and Kids' Chance of America.

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