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 Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 12, 2026

HB 864: Public Works Contracts - Apprenticeship Requirements (Maryland Workforce Apprenticeship Utilization Act)

HB 864 (Maryland Workforce Apprenticeship Utilization Act) requires contractors and subcontractors on Maryland public works projects to employ a minimum percentage of qualified apprentices or journeyworkers instead of paying fees to apprenticeship programs. The bill expands this requirement to cover construction projects for the University System of Maryland and Baltimore City Community College. It repeals current provisions allowing contractors to pay fees in lieu of hiring apprentices and directs the Secretary of Labor to set an annual apprenticeship hiring percentage for each project. This policy change directly affects contractors bidding on public construction projects valued above specific thresholds, aiming to increase on-the-job training opportunities in skilled trades.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill requires apprenticeships for construction at higher education institutions (University System of Maryland, community college), expanding educational access via on-the-job training and repealing fee payments.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates direct hiring of apprentices instead of fees, expanding workforce opportunities and strengthening apprenticeship programs by repealing fee-in-lieu provisions.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports 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 Yes ✓ Supports 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 Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

signed · Maryland · Senate May 12, 2026

SB 818: State Center - Development - Contract, Plan Requirements, and Advisory Group

SB 818 amends Maryland law to establish new requirements for developing the 28-acre State Center property in Baltimore City. It requires all new or modified development contracts to include an enforceable community benefits agreement with the State Center Neighborhood Alliance, a local hiring plan with job goals, and an economic improvement plan prioritizing minority- and women-owned businesses. The bill also creates a State Center Advisory Group composed of neighborhood associations, anchor institutions, and community organizations within a 1-mile radius to provide community input, leverage neighborhood benefits, and ensure transparency. This directly affects the developer of the State Center project and surrounding Baltimore neighborhoods.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingMandates community benefits agreements, local hiring plans, and minority/women-owned business prioritization in housing development contracts, advancing equitable housing policies.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill mandates local hiring plan with job goals and prioritizes minority/women-owned businesses, directly advancing employment standards and equitable workforce opportunities.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports 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 Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

signed · Maryland · Senate May 12, 2026

SB 243: Uniformed Services Spouses Act

SB 243 expands existing Maryland benefits for military service members to include their spouses. It provides spouses of active-duty service members and veterans with priority enrollment at public colleges, access to community college resources (including dedicated advisors and veteran resource centers), and eligibility for senatorial and delegate scholarships. The bill also extends hiring preferences for spouses in state government roles through the Public Service Commission. These benefits apply within 15 years of the service member’s last active duty and end after the spouse’s fourth academic year. The law amends specific sections of Maryland’s education, labor, and state personnel codes to include "spouse of an eligible service member" as a qualifying status.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill provides priority enrollment, scholarships, and resources for military spouses at public colleges, directly expanding higher education access and support.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExtends hiring preferences for military spouses in state government roles, enhancing employment opportunities and benefits for a specific workforce group.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExpands benefits to spouses of veterans (priority college enrollment, resources, scholarships, state hiring) strengthening veteran support system.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 28, 2026

SB 647: Law Enforcement Officers' Pension System and State Police Retirement System - Line-of-Duty Catastrophic Injury Disability

SB 647 updates Maryland's Law Enforcement Officers' Pension System and State Police Retirement System to expand eligibility for line-of-duty disability benefits. It changes the qualifying standard from being "incapacitated for duty" to requiring members to be "totally and permanently unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity" due to a duty-related injury. This change affects current and future members of these systems who suffer catastrophic injuries while on duty, as defined in amended sections 24-401.1(k) and 26-401.1(k) of the Maryland Annotated Code. The bill modifies how the disability allowance is calculated and applied, focusing on the member's inability to work rather than just duty performance.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill expands disability benefit eligibility for law enforcement officers, aligning with 'expands worker benefits' in Labor & Employment policy.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 28, 2026

SB 694: Human Relations - Violations of County Discrimination Laws - Complaints

SB 694 modifies Maryland law to shorten the waiting period before individuals can sue for discrimination under county laws. It changes the requirement from waiting 45 days (in Howard, Montgomery, and Prince George’s Counties) or 60 days (in Baltimore County) after filing a complaint with the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights or a local county office to just 30 days. This applies specifically to cases involving employment discrimination or public accommodations in those counties. The bill directly affects people who experience discrimination and seek legal action under local county anti-discrimination codes.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentShortens waiting period from 45/60 to 30 days for employment discrimination lawsuits, strengthening workers' ability to seek redress under county anti-discrimination laws.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 28, 2026

SB 772: Maryland Department of Health - Employment Training and Opportunity Database

SB 772 requires the Maryland Department of Health to create and maintain a public database of employment training and job placement programs. The database will help residents find opportunities that can lead to eligibility for Medicaid (Maryland Medical Assistance Program) and SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), including program details, application steps, and direct contact options. The Department must update the database every 30 days and assist individuals in enrolling in listed programs. Other state agencies, including the Department of Labor and Department of Human Services, must recommend programs for inclusion. This bill directly affects Maryland residents seeking to improve employment prospects while maintaining access to critical health and nutrition benefits.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates database connecting job training to Medicaid/SNAP eligibility, improving access to healthcare coverage programs by streamlining enrollment pathways.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentCreates database linking job training programs to Medicaid/SNAP eligibility, enhancing access to employment resources and benefits under Labor & Employment standards.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment