HB 1294 Maryland House of Delegates · 2025 Regular Session

Commercial Law - Credit Regulation - Earned Wage Access and Credit Modernization

HB 1294 modernizes Maryland's credit regulation framework by establishing specific rules for "earned wage access" programs, which allow workers to receive portions of their earned wages before the regular payday. The bill directly affects businesses offering these programs and the workers who use them, creating clear standards for how such services operate within the state's commercial law. Key provisions require earned wage access providers to follow transparent fee structures and disclose terms to users, aligning with broader credit regulation updates. This legislation was enacted in Maryland on May 25, 2025, under the state constitution.

Issues: ✓ Labor & Employment

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2025

Committee Review

Apr 2025

House of Delegates Passage

Apr 2025

Senate Passage

Apr 2025

Signed into Law

May 2025

Introduced Feb 7, 2025 Signed May 25, 2025

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What changed between versions

First - Commercial Law - Credit Regulation - Earned Wage Access and Credit Modernization → Third - Commercial Law - Credit Regulation - Earned Wage Access and Credit Modernization · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended to add a second sponsor (Delegate Amprey) and advance its legislative status to 'adopted' with a favorable committee report. The bill's scope was slightly modified by removing one section reference (12-101) from the repeal list and adding a new definition for 'TIP' (voluntary payment to a lender) to clarify what constitutes a tip versus a fee.

Scope change

The bill's scope was slightly narrowed by removing Section 12-101 from the list of sections being repealed and reenacted, while adding a new definition for 'TIP' to clarify voluntary payments to lenders.

ELIGIBILITY

Added Delegate Amprey as a co-sponsor to the bill.

TIMELINE

Bill status changed from first reading to adopted with a favorable committee report and second reading date of March 4, 2025.

TECHNICAL

Removed Section 12-101 from the list of sections being repealed and reenacted.

Added formatting instruction that underlining indicates amendments to the bill.

DEFINITION

Added a new definition for 'TIP' to clarify that voluntary payments made by consumers to lenders or third parties that do not affect loan terms are considered tips, not fees.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 23, 2025 · House of Delegates Mar 5, 2025

How they voted

27–17

Passed · 2 other

Total votes 46

Mar 23, 2025

D Democratic33

17 Yea 14 Nay 2

51% Yea

R Republican13

10 Yea 3 Nay

76% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Apr 7, 2025

Lower · Passed

Returned Passed

lower

Apr 7, 2025

Upper · Passed

Third Reading Passed

upper

Apr 4, 2025

Upper · Passed

Favorable Adopted

upper

Apr 4, 2025

Upper · Passed

Favorable Report by Finance

upper

Mar 23, 2025

Senate · Passed

Senate Vote: pass (27-17-2)

senate

Mar 17, 2025

Committee

Referred Finance

upper

Mar 14, 2025

Lower · Passed

Third Reading Passed

lower

Mar 14, 2025

Lower · Passed

Favorable with Amendments {

lower

Mar 14, 2025

Lower · Passed

Favorable with Amendments Report by Economic Matters

lower

Mar 5, 2025

House Of Delegates · Passed

House of Delegates Vote: pass (97-38-4)

house of delegates

Feb 7, 2025

Committee

First Reading Economic Matters

lower

2 primary · 0 co-sponsors