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

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 16, 2026

HB 1358: Labor and Employment - Workforce Development and Local Workforce Development Boards (Local Workforce Solutions Investment Act

HB 1358 requires Maryland's Department of Labor to allocate funds from the Hospital Employees Retraining Fund to local workforce development boards when hospitals close, downsize, or merge. It also mandates that these local boards provide grants to employers through the Apprenticeship Career Training in Our Neighborhoods Program. Additionally, the bill requires the Department to fund local workforce boards for direct worker services under the State's quick response program when job losses occur due to business reductions. This bill directly affects local workforce development boards, hospitals facing operational changes, and workers impacted by layoffs or closures.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates existing Hospital Employees Retraining Fund to workforce development programs, strengthening fiscal support for job training and worker services.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentAllocates funds for retraining after hospital job losses, mandates apprenticeship grants, and funds direct worker services - all strengthening worker support during employment transitions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Apprenticeships Workforce Development

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signed · Maryland · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 809: Supporting Our Caregiver Infrastructure Program - Feasibility Study

This bill requires Maryland's Office of the Comptroller, with assistance from the Department of Human Services, to conduct a feasibility study on creating a program that would provide monthly payments to caregivers of specific family members. The study will examine economic impacts like potential increases in workforce participation, tax revenue, and reduced reliance on public benefits, while also identifying funding sources and administrative costs. It must be completed by July 1, 2027, and reported to relevant legislative committees. The bill does not establish the program itself but sets the groundwork for evaluating its potential. This study directly affects state agencies responsible for conducting the analysis, with no direct impact on caregivers or families until a future decision to implement the program.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill initiates feasibility study for caregiver payments, aiming to improve healthcare infrastructure access and reduce public benefit reliance, aligning with support indicators like strengthening caregiver support systems.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates feasibility study examining how caregiver payments could increase workforce participation and reduce public benefit reliance, directly addressing labor market impacts.85% confidence

died · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 9, 2026

HB 1307: State Finance and Procurement - Employers Receiving State Public Funds - Unfair Labor Practices

HB 1307 requires employers receiving $250,000 or more in state public funds under a single contract to agree they will not engage in unfair labor practices defined under federal law (29 U.S.C. §158) and acknowledge that violations may result in the state recapturing those funds. It directly affects large state contractors by linking funding eligibility to compliance with federal labor protections under the National Labor Relations Act. The bill authorizes the state to recapture funds for up to two years after disbursement if violations occur, and allows employees to file complaints with the Attorney General, who must investigate and may sue for damages including full fund recovery. The law takes effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill promotes fiscal responsibility by recapturing misused state funds for labor violations, aligning with fiscal management under Budget & Taxes.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill mandates compliance with federal labor protections (29 U.S.C. §158) for state contractors, linking funding eligibility to adherence and enabling fund recapture for violations, directly strengthening worker rights enforcement.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Procurement Collective Bargaining Labor Standards

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signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 1087: Health Care Facilities - Surgical Smoke - Smoke Evacuation Systems

HB 1087 requires Maryland health care facilities performing surgeries that generate surgical smoke (like hospitals, ambulatory surgical centers, and freestanding medical facilities) to adopt policies mandating the use of smoke evacuation systems by January 1, 2028. These systems must capture and filter harmful surgical smoke particles at the source before they reach medical staff or patients. The bill defines "surgical smoke" as the gaseous byproducts from energy-generating surgical tools, including bio-aerosols and lung-damaging particles. This policy change aims to protect health care workers and patients from exposure to potentially hazardous smoke during procedures.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates smoke evacuation systems in surgical facilities to protect staff/patients from harmful surgical smoke, directly advancing healthcare safety standards.92% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates smoke evacuation systems to protect medical staff from hazardous surgical smoke, directly improving workplace safety for healthcare workers.95% confidence

in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 12, 2026

SB 522: Workers' Compensation - Evaluation of Permanent Impairments - Licensed Social Worker-Clinical

This bill allows licensed clinical social workers to evaluate permanent impairments related to behavioral or mental disorders in workers' compensation claims, expanding beyond current requirements that limited this role to psychologists or physicians. To qualify, social workers must meet specific training standards in mental health conditions, hold rehabilitation counselor registration, have two years of relevant experience, and be authorized providers. It directly affects workers seeking compensation for mental health-related impairments and the social workers providing these evaluations. The law amends Maryland's workers' compensation code to include these requirements, effective October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands mental health evaluation access in workers' comp by allowing licensed social workers, improving patient access to mental health services within healthcare system.92% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands workers' compensation evaluation access to licensed social workers for mental health impairments, improving claim processing and benefits accessibility.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Workers' Compensation

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in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 12, 2026

SB 663: Nursing Homes - Direct Care Wages and Benefits and Cost Reports

This bill requires Maryland nursing homes to spend at least 75% of their total nursing and residential care revenue on direct care staff wages and benefits (including nurses, dietary, therapy, and social workers). Nursing homes must annually submit detailed cost reports by September 1 starting in 2027, including proof of wage payments and other data determined by the Maryland Department of Health. Failure to comply may result in enforcement actions, including suspension from the Maryland Medical Assistance Program. The law takes effect October 1, 2026, directly affecting all nursing homes operating in Maryland.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates 75% revenue allocation to direct care staff wages in nursing homes, improving workforce stability and care quality in healthcare settings.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates 75% revenue allocation for direct care staff wages/benefits with annual reporting and enforcement, directly strengthening worker compensation standards in nursing homes.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Long-Term Care

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passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 13, 2026

HB 797: Employment Discrimination - Fire and Rescue Public Safety Employees - Use of Medical Cannabis

HB 797 prohibits employers from discriminating against fire and rescue public safety employees who use medical cannabis, provided they have a valid written certification from a licensed healthcare provider under Maryland's medical cannabis program. The bill modifies existing law to clarify that an employer cannot take adverse employment actions (like termination or denial of promotion) solely due to medical cannabis use, as long as the employee meets the state's certification requirements. It updates definitions in Maryland law to ensure fire and rescue employees qualify for the same protections as other medical cannabis patients under the existing program. The law does not override workplace safety rules or require employers to accommodate cannabis use during work hours.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProtects employment rights for medical cannabis users under state healthcare program, advancing patient access to treatment without discrimination95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProhibits employment discrimination against medical cannabis users in fire/rescue roles, protecting workers' rights under state certification requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Employment Discrimination Professional Licensing Workplace Safety Tags Public Safety

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passed · Maryland · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 764: Education - Minimum Wage for Education Support Professionals - Report on Estimated Cost

SB 764 establishes a minimum wage of $25.00 per hour for education support professionals in Maryland public schools, effective July 1, 2028. It directly affects county boards of education (which must pay this wage) and noncertificated school staff in non-supervisory bargaining units, such as aides, secretaries, and maintenance workers. The bill requires the State Department of Education to report by December 1, 2026, on the cost of implementing this wage, broken down by school system. It does not change current wages but mandates a new hourly rate for these positions starting in 2028.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates $25/hr wage for education staff, increasing state/local government spending on public education services.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationDirectly increases wages for school support staff (aides, secretaries, maintenance), strengthening educational workforce compensation and funding access.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentDirectly establishes $25/hr minimum wage for education support staff, increasing wages and protecting worker compensation under Labor & Employment policies.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Minimum Wage

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vetoed · Maryland · House of Delegates Aug 3, 2026

HB 862: Railroads - Required Crew for Movement of Freight

HB 862 requires railroad companies operating freight trains on tracks shared with passenger or commuter trains in Maryland to maintain a minimum crew of two people. This applies to most freight movement but excludes hostler service and yard operations for utility employees. Violations carry civil penalties up to $25,000 per incident, with railroad companies held solely responsible for employee violations. The law takes effect October 1, 2026, contingent on similar legislation passing in New York, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates minimum two-person crews for freight trains on shared tracks, directly enhancing workplace safety for railroad workers through staffing requirements and penalties for violations.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationRequires two-person crews on shared passenger/freight tracks to enhance rail safety, directly strengthening transportation safety standards per topic description.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Freight Rail

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