HB 502 Maryland House of Delegates · 2025 Regular Session

Office of Disability Employment Advancement and Policy and Maryland as a Model Employer Initiative - Established

HB 502 establishes the Office of Disability Employment Advancement and Policy within Maryland's Department of Disabilities and creates the "Maryland as a Model Employer Initiative." The bill directly affects state government agencies and employees with disabilities by requiring them to improve hiring, retention, and career advancement opportunities for people with disabilities. Key provisions include collecting employment data from state agencies, providing training on disability-inclusive hiring practices, and reporting annual progress to the Governor and General Assembly starting December 1, 2026. The initiative aims to reduce barriers in state employment through outreach, assistive technology access, and evaluating agency policies. The Office will begin operations on July 1, 2026, with mandatory reporting on outcomes and recommendations for improvement.

Issues: ✓ Labor & Employment

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Apr 2025

House of Delegates Passage

Apr 2025

Senate Passage

Apr 2025

Signed into Law

Apr 2025

Introduced Jan 22, 2025 Signed Apr 8, 2025

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What changed between versions

Third - Office of Disability Employment Advancement and Policy and Maryland as a Model Employer Initiative - Established → Enrolled - Office of Disability Employment Advancement and Policy and Maryland as a Model Employer Initiative - Established · 1 edit · Apr 8, 2025

MINOR

The bill was finalized and enrolled for the Governor's signature, moving from a draft state bill to an official enrolled bill. The substantive policy content regarding the establishment of the Office of Disability Employment Advancement and Policy remains unchanged, with no new funding, dates, or definitions added during this finalization process.

TECHNICAL

The document format was updated from a House Bill draft to an Enrolled Bill, including the addition of proofreader signatures and the Great Seal presentation language required for the Governor's approval.

First - Office of Disability Employment Advancement and Policy and Maryland as a Model Employer Initiative - Established → Third - Office of Disability Employment Advancement and Policy and Maryland as a Model Employer Initiative - Established · 5 edits

MODERATE

This bill establishes the Office of Disability Employment Advancement and Policy within the Maryland Department of Disabilities to oversee the Maryland as a Model Employer Initiative. The Office will be responsible for implementing and overseeing the initiative starting July 1, 2026, with a focus on recruiting, hiring, and retaining people with disabilities across state government. The bill also outlines the Office's duties, including developing strategies, collecting data, conducting outreach, and reporting progress to the Governor and General Assembly.

Scope change

The bill adds a new subtitle (Subtitle 12) to the Human Services Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland, creating a new Office of Disability Employment Advancement and Policy with specific responsibilities for the Maryland as a Model Employer Initiative.

SCOPE

Created a new Office of Disability Employment Advancement and Policy within the Department of Disabilities to oversee disability employment initiatives in state government.

REQUIREMENT

Established specific duties for the Office including developing employment strategies, collecting data on disability employment, conducting outreach, and reporting outcomes to state leadership.

TIMELINE

Set the effective date for the Office's implementation and oversight responsibilities to begin July 1, 2026, with annual reporting required by December 1 each year thereafter.

DEFINITION

Defined key terms including 'Department' (Department of Disabilities), 'Initiative' (Maryland as a Model Employer Initiative), 'Office' (Office of Disability Employment Advancement and Policy), and 'Secretary' (Secretary of Disabilities).

ENFORCEMENT

Requires the Office to report progress and recommendations for improving state government employment practices for people with disabilities to the Governor and General Assembly.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 17, 2025 · House of Delegates Mar 24, 2025

How they voted

34–12

Passed

Total votes 46

Mar 17, 2025

D Democratic33

33 Yea

100% Yea

R Republican13

1 Yea 12 Nay

92% Nay

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Apr 8, 2025

Signed into law

Approved by the Governor - Chapter 1

executive

Apr 7, 2025

Lower · Passed

Passed Enrolled

lower

Apr 7, 2025

Lower · Passed

Third Reading Passed

lower

Apr 7, 2025

Introduced

House Concurs Senate Amendments

lower

Apr 3, 2025

Upper · Passed

Third Reading Passed

upper

Apr 3, 2025

Upper · Passed

Favorable with Amendments {

upper

Apr 3, 2025

Upper · Passed

Favorable with Amendments Report by Finance

upper

Mar 24, 2025

House Of Delegates · Passed

House of Delegates Vote: pass (100-37-2)

house of delegates

Mar 17, 2025

Senate · Passed

Senate Vote: pass (34-12)

senate

Mar 14, 2025

Committee

Referred Finance

upper

Mar 13, 2025

Lower · Passed

Third Reading Passed

lower

Mar 12, 2025

Lower · Passed

Favorable Adopted Second Reading Passed

lower

Mar 12, 2025

Lower · Passed

Favorable Report by Appropriations

lower

Jan 22, 2025

Committee

First Reading Appropriations

lower

20 primary · 0 co-sponsors