SB 253 Maryland Senate · 2026 Regular Session

Baltimore County Public Library - Collective Bargaining - Supervisory Employees

SB 253 authorizes supervisory employees at Baltimore County Public Library to form unions, join collective bargaining efforts, and participate in related activities. It reclassifies certain supervisory staff as "management employees" if they exercise independent judgment (e.g., resolving grievances or making hiring decisions beyond routine tasks), rather than automatically excluding them from unionization. The bill establishes two fixed bargaining units: one for non-supervisory staff and one for supervisory staff, while preserving existing union agreements in place before June 30, 2026. This change directly affects library supervisors who may now engage in collective bargaining under specific conditions.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Apr 2026
Senate Passage
Apr 2026
House of Delegates Passage
Apr 2026
Signed into Law
May 2026
Introduced Jan 16, 2026 Signed May 26, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

First - Baltimore County Public Library - Collective Bargaining - Supervisory Employees Third - Baltimore County Public Library - Collective Bargaining - Supervisory Employees · 3 edits
MINOR
The bill was renumbered and amended to clarify that supervisory employees are excluded from the definition of 'Employee' for collective bargaining purposes. This change ensures that only non-supervisory staff are included in the bargaining unit, preventing confusion over who is eligible to negotiate wages and working conditions.
Scope change
The bill's scope was narrowed by explicitly excluding supervisory employees from the definition of 'Employee' and maintaining a two-bargaining-unit structure (one for non-supervisory and one for supervisory employees).
DEFINITION

Updated the definition of 'Employee' to explicitly exclude supervisory employees, ensuring they are not part of the collective bargaining unit.

Reorganized the bill's structure by renumbering sections and clarifying the repeal and reenactment of specific code sections.

TECHNICAL

Added committee report status and adoption dates to reflect the bill's progression through the Senate.

Floor votes · Senate Feb 14, 2026 · House of Delegates Mar 22, 2026

How they voted

450
Passed · 4 other
Total votes 49
Feb 14, 2026
D Democratic36
33 Yea 3
91% Yea
R Republican13
12 Yea 1
92% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
15
Key actions
10
Committee
6
May 26, 2026
Signed into law
Approved by the Governor - Chapter 756
executive
Apr 9, 2026
Upper · Passed
Returned Passed
upper
Apr 8, 2026
Lower · Passed
Third Reading Passed
lower
Apr 3, 2026
Lower · Passed
Favorable Adopted Second Reading Passed
lower
Apr 3, 2026
Lower · Passed
Favorable Report by Government, Labor, and Elections
lower
Mar 22, 2026
House Of Delegates · Passed
House of Delegates Vote: pass (97-31-14)
house of delegates
Feb 20, 2026
Committee
Referred Government, Labor, and Elections
lower
Feb 19, 2026
Upper · Passed
Third Reading Passed
upper
Feb 17, 2026
Upper · Passed
Favorable Adopted
upper
Feb 16, 2026
Upper · Passed
Favorable Report by Finance
upper
Feb 14, 2026
Senate · Passed
Senate Vote: pass (45-0-4)
senate
Jan 16, 2026
Committee
First Reading Finance
upper
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Shelly Hettleman
Shelly Hettleman
DDemocratic
MD
11