Labor & Employment

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 12, 2026

HB 1248: Workgroup for an Inclusive State Workplace - Established

HB 1248 establishes a 3-year pilot program (2026-2029) requiring five selected Maryland state agencies to convert eligible full-time positions into two part-time roles with prorated benefits. The bill mandates agencies to evaluate full-time vacancies for potential conversion to part-time roles and document reasons if conversion isn’t possible. It directly affects participating state agencies and future job seekers by increasing part-time employment options with benefits in state government. Agencies must report annually on conversion status and new part-time hires to the Governor and General Assembly. The program aims to improve workforce inclusivity by expanding flexible work opportunities without altering existing part-time employment rules.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentCreates part-time roles with prorated benefits, expanding access to state employment benefits and increasing part-time options without reducing compensation.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Labor & Employment

signed · Maryland · Senate May 12, 2026

SB 964: Public Works Contracts - Apprenticeship Requirements (Maryland Workforce Apprenticeship Utilization Act)

SB 964 requires contractors and subcontractors working on Maryland public works projects to employ a specific percentage of qualified apprentices or experienced workers, replacing previous options to pay apprenticeship programs instead of hiring. It applies to all state-funded construction projects and newly includes the University System of Maryland and Baltimore City Community College. The Secretary of Labor must set an annual apprenticeship percentage target for projects, with limited waivers allowed for specific circumstances. The bill amends existing procurement laws to enforce these hiring requirements as a core part of public works contracting.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates contractors to hire specific apprenticeship percentages on public works, strengthening workforce development and employment standards per bill text.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Labor & Employment

signed · Maryland · Senate May 12, 2026

SB 673: State Procurement - Apprenticeship Program Accountability and Completion

SB 673 requires state contractors working on covered projects (like construction or public works) to use registered apprenticeship programs that meet minimum completion rates set by the Maryland Department of Labor. Contractors must verify compliance through payments to the State Apprenticeship Training Fund or direct participation in approved programs. The bill amends existing procurement laws to hold contractors accountable for apprenticeship program effectiveness, aiming to improve workforce development outcomes. It takes effect October 1, 2026, and applies to all relevant state procurement contracts.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRequires contractor payments into State Apprenticeship Training Fund, directing state funds toward workforce development program funding.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates state contractors to use registered apprenticeship programs meeting minimum completion rates, strengthening workforce development and employment standards through accountability measures.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Labor & Employment

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 12, 2026

HB 1165: State Procurement - Apprenticeship Program Accountability and Completion

HB 1165 requires contractors working on certain state procurement contracts (called "covered procurements") to use apprenticeship programs with a minimum 25% completion rate, as determined by the Maryland Department of Labor. This applies to state contracts meeting specific criteria established by the Chief Procurement Officer. Contractors must provide written verification of program compliance before receiving a contract. The bill aims to ensure apprenticeship programs meet quality standards for state-funded projects.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRequires 25% apprenticeship completion rate to ensure quality training programs, advancing workforce development standards.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Labor & Employment

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 12, 2026

HB 503: Baltimore City Sheriff's Office - Collective Bargaining - Compensation

HB 503 allows full-time sworn deputy sheriffs (at lieutenant rank or below) and court security officers in Baltimore City to collectively bargain over compensation - including salary, wages, and city-managed benefits - as well as leave, hours, working conditions, and job security. It requires these officers to negotiate jointly with both the Sheriff and Baltimore City (not just one entity) for these matters, removing previous restrictions that excluded salary from bargaining. The bill excludes captains, appointed staff, civilian employees, part-timers, and temporary workers from these collective bargaining rights. This changes existing law to expand bargaining scope for eligible officers while specifying the joint negotiation process.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill removes exclusion of salary from collective bargaining for officers, expanding their right to negotiate compensation and working conditions under labor rights framework.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Labor & Employment

signed · Maryland · Senate May 12, 2026

SB 305: Qualifying Nonprofit Organizations - Incarcerated Individual Training and Reentry Grant Fund - Extension

SB 305 extends funding for nonprofit organizations providing automotive repair training and reentry services to formerly incarcerated individuals in Maryland. It extends the grant period from fiscal years 2026-2028 to 2026-2029, authorizing $1 million annually for qualifying nonprofits that train at least 50 individuals yearly in auto repair and achieve a 50% job placement rate for participants. The Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention administers the grants, requiring nonprofits to submit annual reports on fund usage, participant numbers, and employment outcomes. This bill directly affects nonprofits meeting specific service criteria and supports employment pathways for formerly incarcerated individuals.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill authorizes $1 million annually for nonprofit reentry programs, directly funding a social service through state budget allocation.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExtends funding for job training/reentry programs for formerly incarcerated individuals, directly reducing recidivism through employment opportunities and rehabilitation.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExtends funding for job training and placement programs targeting formerly incarcerated individuals, directly advancing employment outcomes and workforce reentry through mandated job placement rates.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Labor & Employment

signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 28, 2026

SB 748: Correctional Officers' Retirement System - Allegany County

SB 748 requires Allegany County correctional officers to join the Correctional Officers’ Retirement System if the county participates in it, replacing their current membership in the Employees’ Pension System. Officers who join this system will automatically lose all membership and future benefit rights in the Employees’ Pension System. The bill applies to officers employed by Allegany County’s detention center before June 1, 2026, and transitioning to the new system. This change takes effect on June 1, 2026, with no transfer of pension benefits governed by standard rules.

Topics ✗ Labor & EmploymentOpposes Labor & EmploymentBill requires correctional officers to forfeit existing pension benefits, weakening retirement security and eliminating future rights under the previous system.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Labor & Employment

signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 28, 2026

SB 740: Transportation Network Companies - Deactivation of Operators

SB 740 requires transportation network companies (like ride-hailing apps) to create and follow clear policies for deactivating drivers. It mandates that companies must notify drivers in writing before restricting their access to the platform for 48+ hours and provide specific reasons for deactivation. The bill directly affects drivers who use digital platforms to connect with passengers, ensuring deactivation decisions align with published policies. It also defines "egregious misconduct" (e.g., serious safety threats) as the only valid reason for deactivation beyond routine traffic violations.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates clear deactivation policies with written notice and specific reasons, protecting drivers from arbitrary removal and ensuring due process in employment decisions.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Labor & Employment

signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 28, 2026

SB 831: Labor Law - Child Labor Penalties, Private Sector Employee Labor Relations, and State Employee Labor Standards

SB 831 strengthens Maryland's child labor protections by establishing civil penalties for employers who violate child labor laws (replacing some misdemeanor penalties with fines), directly affecting employers and minors. It prohibits employers from supporting organizations that avoid federal labor law oversight (like those exempt from the National Labor Relations Act) and allows private employees to petition the Public Employee Relations Board for resolution of certain workplace issues. The bill also bans state government agencies from seeking federal waivers of the Fair Labor Standards Act. These changes impact employers, minors, private employees, and state employees across Maryland.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentStrengthens child labor protections with civil penalties, prohibits evasion of labor laws, and enables employee dispute resolution via PEB.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Labor & Employment

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 28, 2026

HB 895: Food Retailers and Third-Party Delivery Service Providers - Dynamic Pricing and Personal Data (Protection From Predatory Pricing Act)

HB 895 prohibits large food retailers (defined as those with at least 15,000 square feet selling tax-exempt food) from using dynamic pricing (real-time price changes based on demand or AI) or consumer surveillance data to set prices for individual shoppers. It also bans retailers from using data about protected characteristics (like race or gender) to deny discounts or services to specific customers. The bill further protects union rights by preventing retailers from weakening employee benefits under existing collective bargaining agreements without negotiation. Violations would be treated as unfair trade practices under Maryland’s Consumer Protection Act, subject to enforcement and penalties.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill explicitly protects union rights and prevents weakening of employee benefits, directly advancing collective bargaining protections.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyProhibits AI-driven dynamic pricing and consumer surveillance data use, protecting consumer data privacy and preventing discriminatory pricing practices.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Labor & Employment