Employment Standards - Firefighters - Payment of Wages and Payroll Information

SB 124 requires counties and municipalities that employ firefighters to calculate overtime pay based on hours worked over 168 hours in a 28-day period (instead of the standard 40-hour workweek). It mandates that these local governments provide firefighters with detailed payroll statements at hiring, pay changes, and each pay period, including hours worked, gross earnings, and deductions. If a government unit fails to provide required payroll information or pay owed wages, firefighters or their union representatives can file a grievance, triggering penalties of 30% per pay period (capped at three times the unpaid amount) until resolved. The bill directly affects public-sector firefighters in Maryland and takes effect October 1, 2025.