State Employees - Colleague Bereavement Leave

HB 921 creates a new policy allowing Maryland state employees to take up to 5 days of paid leave when a colleague dies while working on the job in close proximity to them. This applies to all state employees (including temporary workers) across executive, judicial, and legislative branches who work in the same agency as the deceased colleague. The bill prohibits state agencies from requiring employees to use other paid leave (like vacation days) instead of this specific bereavement leave. It also requires employees to notify their supervisor before taking the leave, and directs the state secretary to create regulations governing the policy. The law takes effect October 1, 2025.