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 Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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passed · Maryland · Senate Apr 8, 2026

SB 90: Workers' Compensation - Occupational Disease Presumptions - Hypertension

SB 90 adds hypertension to Maryland's list of occupational diseases presumed to be work-related for specific emergency responders. It makes firefighters, fire fighting instructors, rescue squad members, advanced life support unit members, and State Fire Marshal personnel eligible for workers' compensation benefits if they have hypertension diagnosed by a provider, experience it for at least 90 consecutive days, have at least 2 years of cumulative service in those roles, and are currently employed in those positions. This creates a legal presumption that the hypertension is work-related, eliminating the need to prove direct causation, while clarifying that individuals cannot receive both workers' compensation and disability retirement benefits for the same hypertension condition. The bill takes effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands workers' compensation coverage for hypertension among emergency responders, directly increasing health insurance access for specific healthcare workers.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentAdds hypertension to occupational disease presumptions for emergency responders, expanding workers' compensation eligibility and strengthening benefits access for specific worker groups.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports 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 Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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passed · Maryland · Senate Mar 26, 2026

SB 84: State Personnel - Collective Bargaining - Graduate Assistants

SB 84 would grant graduate assistants at Maryland's public universities (including the University System of Maryland, Morgan State University, and St. Mary’s College of Maryland) the right to form a separate collective bargaining unit. The bill amends state law to explicitly include "all eligible graduate assistants" as a distinct bargaining group, meaning they would negotiate contracts separately from other university employees like faculty or staff. This change takes effect on July 1, 2026, and directly affects graduate students working as teaching, research, or administrative assistants in these institutions. The policy creates a formal structure for graduate assistants to collectively address employment terms like pay, benefits, and working conditions.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationGrants graduate assistants collective bargaining rights at public universities, strengthening educator support within higher education.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentGrants graduate assistants collective bargaining rights, directly advancing workers' rights under labor policy.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports 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 Yes ✓ Supports 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 Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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passed · Maryland · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 387: Food Retailers and Third-Party Food Delivery Service Providers - Dynamic Pricing and Personal Data (Protection From Predatory Pricing Act)

SB 387 prohibits large food retailers (15,000+ sq ft) in Maryland from using dynamic pricing (real-time price changes based on demand or AI) or consumer surveillance data (like location or biometric tracking) to set prices for individual customers. It also bans using protected class data (e.g., race, gender) to deny accommodations or advantages to consumers. The bill further prevents retailers from reducing union-guaranteed employee benefits without negotiating with union representatives. These provisions aim to regulate pricing practices, prevent discriminatory data use, and protect collective bargaining agreements, with violations subject to enforcement under Maryland’s consumer protection laws.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentPrevents unilateral reduction of union-guaranteed benefits without negotiation, directly supporting collective bargaining rights.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyProhibits AI-driven dynamic pricing and consumer surveillance data use, protecting privacy from tech exploitation per bill's explicit restrictions on data collection and algorithmic pricing.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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passed · Maryland · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 957: Education - Career Ladder - National Board Certification Associated Salary Increases

SB 957 clarifies that Maryland public school teachers holding a National Board Certification (NBC) with a 10-year award period are eligible for specific salary increases tied to their career ladder status. It establishes a $8,000 salary increase for renewing a 10-year NBC, plus $7,000 for a first maintenance renewal after 5 years, and $6,000 for a second maintenance renewal. The bill applies retroactively to teachers with eligible 10-year certifications and ensures these salary increases are separate from other career ladder benefits like the $10,000 increase for initially becoming an NBC teacher. It directly affects certified classroom teachers in Maryland public schools who hold or renew this specific type of National Board Certification.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill provides $8k-$7k salary increases for National Board Certified teachers, directly supporting educator compensation and retention in K-12 education.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill provides $6,000-$8,000 salary increases for certified teachers, directly advancing wage standards and career progression for educators within Labor & Employment.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 23, 2026

HB 1325: Workers' Compensation - Evaluation of Permanent Impairments - Licensed Social Worker-Clinical

HB 1325 authorizes licensed clinical social workers to evaluate permanent impairments involving behavioral or mental disorders in Maryland workers' compensation claims. It requires these social workers to meet specific qualifications, including training in mental/behavioral conditions, rehabilitation counseling registration, two years of post-licensure experience, and COMAR authorization. The bill directly affects workers seeking compensation for mental/behavioral impairments and licensed clinical social workers who wish to provide these evaluations. It amends Maryland’s workers’ compensation law (Article 9, Section 9-721) to expand evaluation eligibility beyond psychologists and physicians. The changes take effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAuthorizes licensed clinical social workers to evaluate mental/behavioral impairments in workers' comp, expanding access to mental health assessments within healthcare framework.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentAuthorizes clinical social workers to evaluate mental/behavioral impairments in workers' comp claims, expanding access to benefits for affected workers.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports 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 Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

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