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HB 1185 Maryland House of Delegates · 2026 Regular Session

Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission - Personnel Management - Appeals of Disciplinary Suspensions PG/MC 104-26

HB 1185 requires the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSUSC) to follow specific steps before disciplining employees, including investigating misconduct, meeting with the employee, and considering mitigating circumstances. It sets a 30-day deadline for disciplinary actions after the Commission learns of misconduct, but allows suspensions without pay within 5 workdays (excluding weekends/holidays). Employees suspended can appeal to the Office of Administrative Hearings, which must resolve the case promptly. The bill directly affects WSUSC employees and ensures procedural fairness in disciplinary proceedings.
Issues: ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRequires due process before disciplinary actions, protecting employees from arbitrary punishment through investigations, meetings, and appeal rights.90% confidence
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2026
Committee Review
Apr 2026
House of Delegates Passage
Apr 2026
Senate Passage
Apr 2026
Signed into Law
May 2026
Introduced Feb 11, 2026 Signed May 12, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

First - Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission - Personnel Management - Disciplinary Actions PG/MC 104-26 → Third - Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission - Personnel Management - Appeals of Disciplinary Suspensions PG/MC 104-26 · 4 edits
MODERATE
HB 1185 was advanced from its first reading to a favorable committee report with amendments, moving it closer to becoming law. The bill clarifies the timeline for the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission to take disciplinary action and establishes a specific right for suspended employees to appeal to the Office of Administrative Hearings. It also corrects the legal citation for the appeal process, ensuring it references the correct State Personnel and Pensions Article.
Scope change
The bill's scope remains focused on personnel management and disciplinary procedures for the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission, but the procedural rules for suspensions and appeals have been refined.
TIMELINE

The text was updated to specify that the Commission must take disciplinary action within a certain number of days after acquiring knowledge of misconduct, clarifying the deadline for imposing penalties.

REQUIREMENT

A new requirement was added allowing employees suspended for disciplinary purposes to appeal directly to the Office of Administrative Hearings, expanding their due process rights.

TECHNICAL

The legal citation for the appeal process was corrected to reference the State Personnel and Pensions Article rather than the previous incorrect reference, ensuring the bill aligns with existing state law.

SCOPE

The bill text was amended to explicitly include the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission as the entity subject to these new disciplinary and appeal procedures.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 22, 2026 · House of Delegates Mar 7, 2026

How they voted

34–0
Passed · 15 other
Total votes 49
Mar 22, 2026
D Democratic36
25 Yea 11
69% Yea
R Republican13
9 Yea 4
69% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
18
Key actions
10
Committee
6
May 12, 2026
Signed into law
Approved by the Governor - Chapter 559
executive
Apr 10, 2026
Lower · Passed
Returned Passed
lower
Apr 9, 2026
Upper · Passed
Third Reading Passed
upper
Apr 8, 2026
Upper · Passed
Favorable Adopted
upper
Apr 8, 2026
Upper · Passed
Favorable Report by Education, Energy, and the Environment
upper
Mar 22, 2026
Senate · Passed
Senate Vote: pass (34-0-15)
senate
Mar 20, 2026
Committee
Referred Education, Energy, and the Environment
upper
Mar 19, 2026
Lower · Passed
Third Reading Passed
lower
Mar 19, 2026
Lower · Passed
Favorable with Amendments {
lower
Mar 19, 2026
Lower · Passed
Favorable with Amendments Report by Environment and Transportation
lower
Mar 7, 2026
House Of Delegates · Passed
House of Delegates Vote: pass (122-6-14)
house of delegates
Feb 11, 2026
Committee
First Reading Environment and Transportation
lower
0 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

No sponsor information available.