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

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 28, 2026

HB 744: Correctional Officers' Retirement System - Dorchester County

This bill requires Dorchester County to join the Correctional Officers' Retirement System (CORS) if it becomes a participating unit, mandating that certain local detention center officers (those employed before the effective date and remaining employed through it) must join CORS. Upon joining, these officers would receive service credit for their prior Dorchester County employment and would no longer be members of the Employees' Pension System, forfeiting all future benefits from that system. The bill specifies that the transfer of service credit follows CORS rules, not standard pension regulations, and takes effect June 1, 2026. It directly affects Dorchester County correctional officers currently covered by the Employees' Pension System.

Topics ✗ Labor & EmploymentOpposes Labor & EmploymentForfeits future pension benefits, weakening retirement security for correctional officers by mandating transfer from Employees' Pension System80% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Labor & Employment

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 28, 2026

HB 1102: Correctional Officers' Retirement System - Allegany County

HB 1102 requires Allegany County to mandate membership in the Correctional Officers’ Retirement System for certain local detention center officers if the county joins this system. It applies to officers employed by Allegany County before June 1, 2026, who remain employed through that date. If the county participates, these officers must transition from the Employees’ Pension System to the Correctional Officers’ Retirement System, forfeiting all future benefits from the old plan. The bill takes effect June 1, 2026, with service credit for prior employment transferred to the new system.

Topics ✗ Labor & EmploymentOpposes Labor & EmploymentForfeits existing retirement benefits for correctional officers, reducing worker benefits as per bill's requirement to transition from Employees' Pension System.80% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Labor & Employment

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 28, 2026

HB 1016: Noncompete and Conflict of Interest Clauses - Licensed Architects - Employer Workforce Relocation and Out-of-State Employers

HB 1016 invalidates noncompete and conflict-of-interest clauses in employment contracts for certain employees if their employer relocates the majority of its employees or principal business location outside Maryland. It directly affects low-wage workers (earning ≤150% of state minimum wage), healthcare workers providing direct patient care (earning ≤$350,000 annually), and veterinary professionals. For high-earning healthcare workers ($350,000+), the bill allows limited 1-year noncompete restrictions within 10 miles of their prior workplace. The law takes effect October 1, 2026, and applies only to contracts signed after that date.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill invalidates noncompete clauses for healthcare workers providing direct patient care (≤$350k), protecting their mobility and workforce stability in healthcare services.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentInvalidates noncompete clauses for low-wage, healthcare, and veterinary workers when employers relocate, directly protecting worker mobility and rights under employment standards.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Labor & Employment

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 28, 2026

HB 480: Transportation Network Companies - Deactivation of Operators

HB 480 requires transportation network companies (like Uber or Lyft) operating in Maryland to create and follow a clear written policy for deactivating drivers. The bill mandates companies must notify drivers of deactivation reasons and provide specific information, and prohibits deactivation unless it follows the published policy. It defines "egregious misconduct" (such as repeated traffic violations or safety threats) as the only valid reason for deactivation, excluding minor violations. This directly affects drivers who could be deactivated and companies required to maintain transparent, consistent procedures.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates clear deactivation policies for drivers, prohibits arbitrary termination for minor issues, and requires notification - protecting workers' rights from unilateral company actions.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Labor & Employment

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 28, 2026

HB 604: Arbitration Reform for State Employees Act of 2026

HB 604, the Arbitration Reform for State Employees Act of 2026, changes how state employees negotiate contracts at institutions like the University System of Maryland and the Maryland Environmental Service. It requires a neutral arbitrator to help resolve bargaining impasses if negotiations stall by September 1, with the arbitrator chosen from a national panel by September 15; the arbitrator’s recommendations would be advisory, not binding. The bill also mandates that each annual budget must include full funding for all terms in existing labor agreements, such as written contracts between the state and employee representatives. This directly affects state employees covered by collective bargaining and their representatives in negotiations.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRequires neutral arbitrator for contract negotiations, supporting collective bargaining resolution by preventing impasses without binding outcomes.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Labor & Employment

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 28, 2026

HB 557: Occupational Licensing and Certification - Criminal History - Predetermination Review Process

HB 557 creates a pre-approval review process for individuals with non-violent criminal convictions seeking occupational licenses (e.g., cosmetology, contracting, healthcare roles) in Maryland. It requires state departments (excluding Public Safety and Correctional Services) to provide a binding determination on whether an applicant’s criminal history would block their license *before* they formally apply, based on specific criteria like the nature of the offense, time since conviction, and rehabilitation evidence. The bill prohibits denial solely for past non-violent convictions unless a direct relationship to the job or safety risk exists, and establishes a $100 fee (waivable for low-income applicants) for the review. It applies to most occupational licenses but excludes sex offense convictions and automatically allows licenses after 7 years without new offenses.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates pre-approval for occupational licenses post-non-violent conviction, reducing reentry barriers and promoting rehabilitation - key criminal justice reform indicators.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRemoves licensing barriers for non-violent offenders, expanding employment access and protecting workers' rights to pursue licensed careers in healthcare, cosmetology, etc.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Labor & Employment

signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 28, 2026

SB 417: Labor and Employment - Mandatory Meetings on Religious or Political Matters - Employee Attendance and Participation (Maryland Worker Freedom Act)

SB 417 (Maryland Worker Freedom Act) prohibits most private employers from firing, disciplining, or refusing to hire employees who decline to attend or participate in employer-sponsored meetings about religious or political matters. The bill requires employers to notify workers about these protections and allows employees to file complaints with the Maryland Commissioner of Labor and Industry within 180 days of a violation. If violations are found, the Commissioner may impose civil penalties up to $10,000 for first offenses or $25,000 for repeat violations, and issue cease-and-desist orders. Exemptions include religious organizations, political groups, schools, government entities, and mandatory compliance training.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProhibits employer retaliation for refusing religious/political meetings, directly protecting workers' rights to decline participation without discipline or termination.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Labor & Employment