Labor & Employment

passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 9, 2026

HB 74: State Procurement - Security Services - Contract Modification

HB 74 requires state contracts for construction or security services exceeding $2 million over three years to include a clause allowing contract modifications when statutory changes increase required compensation or benefits (e.g., new minimum wage laws). This directly affects large contractors working with Maryland state agencies on these projects. The bill mandates that any modified contract must first receive approval from the Chief Procurement Officer. It aims to ensure fair adjustments for cost increases driven by state-mandated changes, without requiring contractors to absorb unexpected expenses. The law takes effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates contract modifications for statutory wage/benefit increases, ensuring workers receive adjusted compensation under new laws.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Labor & Employment

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passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 7, 2026

HB 45: Labor and Employment - Mandatory Meetings on Religious or Political Matters - Employee Attendance and Participation (Maryland Worker Freedom Act)

HB 45, the Maryland Worker Freedom Act, prohibits employers from penalizing employees or job applicants who refuse to attend or participate in mandatory meetings where the employer expresses views on religious or political matters. It directly protects workers in non-exempt workplaces (excluding religious organizations, educational institutions, and government entities) from being fired, disciplined, or denied employment for declining such meetings. The bill requires employers to notify staff of these protections and provides a complaint process to the Labor Commissioner, who can impose fines up to $25,000 for violations or order reinstatement and back pay. Key exemptions include voluntary participation, required legal communications, and employer training mandated by law.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProhibits employer penalties for refusing religious/political meetings, directly protecting workers' rights in non-exempt workplaces per bill summary.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Labor & Employment

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passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 25, 2026

HB 1241: Labor and Employment - Bereavement Leave and Leave for Family Illness - Qualifying Relationships and Type of Leave

HB 1241 expands Maryland's bereavement leave eligibility by redefining "qualified relationships" to include more individuals beyond immediate family. The bill adds grandparents, siblings, domestic partners, step-relatives, adoptive/foster relations, and de facto partners to the list of relationships qualifying for paid bereavement leave. This change directly affects Maryland employees who experience the death of these individuals, allowing them to take paid leave under state law. The bill amends Section 3-802 of the Maryland Annotated Code without altering leave duration or pay structure, maintaining existing employer thresholds (15+ employees) and excluding federal FMLA coverage.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands paid bereavement leave eligibility to include grandparents, siblings, domestic partners, and others, directly increasing worker benefits under Labor & Employment policy.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Labor & Employment

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passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 25, 2026

HB 386: Metro Funding Modification Act of 2026

HB 386 modifies Maryland's funding for the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) by requiring the Governor to withhold 35% of annual grants under specific conditions. It directly affects WMATA and Maryland's budget process, mandating that the Governor withhold funds if WMATA fails to submit required reports (like safety assessments and financial data) or if it doesn't develop a rail signaling workforce transition plan by July 2028. The bill also requires WMATA to provide detailed annual reports on safety, ridership, finances, and capital investments to trigger full funding. If WMATA receives a modified audit opinion without a corrective plan, or misses the workforce plan deadline, the Governor must withhold the funds until these conditions are met.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill conditions WMATA funding on compliance, promoting fiscal accountability and responsible budget management through withheld grants.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates WMATA develop rail signaling workforce transition plan by 2028, directly addressing worker transition needs during system changes.85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill conditions WMATA funding on safety assessments and planning compliance, ensuring responsible transit fund use and operational accountability.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Labor & Employment

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passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 23, 2026

HB 1480: Labor Law - Child Labor Penalties, Private Sector Employee Labor Relations, and State Employee Labor Standards

HB 1480 strengthens child labor protections by prohibiting minors from working in specific hazardous occupations (like manufacturing hazardous substances, construction, or operating machinery) and imposing civil penalties of up to $10,000 for employers who violate these rules. It also creates a new process allowing private sector employees to petition the Public Employee Relations Board to resolve workplace disputes, while banning employers from supporting organizations exempt from federal labor law (like the National Labor Relations Act). Additionally, the bill prohibits state agencies in the Executive Branch from seeking federal waivers of the Fair Labor Standards Act. These changes directly affect employers, private employees, and state government entities in Maryland.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentStrengthens child labor protections with civil penalties and establishes dispute resolution for private sector employees, advancing worker rights and safety standards.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Labor & Employment

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passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 23, 2026

HB 1070: Department of Social and Economic Mobility - Workforce Opportunities Grant Program and Fund

HB 1070 establishes the Workforce Opportunities Grant Program and a dedicated Workforce Opportunities Grant Fund within Maryland's Department of Social and Economic Mobility. The program provides competitive grants to nonprofit organizations, local workforce boards, and employer-community partnerships to plan and host job fairs and workforce events connecting job seekers with employers across the state. The fund, which earns interest credited back to it, is a special nonlapsing account to support these grants. The bill modifies state finance and government codes to create this program and requires the Department to administer it, focusing on expanding job opportunities for residents.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProvides competitive grants for job fairs connecting job seekers with employers, advancing workforce employment opportunities through funding.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Labor & Employment

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passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 19, 2026

HB 1108: Labor and Employment - Greenhouse Workers - Collective Bargaining and Heat Protection

HB 1108 grants collective bargaining rights to workers in Maryland greenhouses (controlled-environment agricultural operations), allowing them to form unions and negotiate wages, hours, and working conditions with employers. The bill requires the state Labor Secretary to establish regulations for union elections, certification, and resolving bargaining disputes, while mandating greenhouse employers to provide rest breaks during extreme heat to prevent heat-related illness. This law directly affects greenhouse workers and their employers, creating a formal process for union representation and heat protection. It amends Maryland's labor code to include these specific protections for greenhouse workers, who previously lacked these rights under state law.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates rest breaks during extreme heat to prevent heat-related illness, directly protecting worker health and aligning with public health safety measures.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentGrants collective bargaining rights and mandates heat protection for greenhouse workers, advancing labor rights and workplace safety.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Labor & Employment

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