HB 194 Maryland House of Delegates · 2026 Regular Session

Incarcerated Individual Apprenticeship Pilot Program

HB 194, the Incarcerated Job Training Act, requires Maryland's Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services to create a paid apprenticeship program for incarcerated individuals in skilled trades. The bill mandates that participants earn at least the state minimum wage, with earnings deposited into their personal accounts for use after release. Employers - such as state agencies, local governments, or private businesses - can participate, but may reject assignments or withdraw from the program. Successful completers receive a certificate within 30 days of release, and the program must prioritize developing marketable job skills. The law takes effect October 1, 2026.

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Oct 2025

Committee Review

Mar 2026

House of Delegates Passage

Mar 2026

Senate Passage

Governor

Introduced Oct 14, 2025 Last action Mar 20, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

First - Incarcerated Job Training Act → Third - Incarcerated Individual Apprenticeship Pilot Program · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended to expand its scope from a general incarcerated job training program to a specific pilot program focused on skilled trade apprenticeships at the Baltimore City Correctional Center. The changes add the Department of Labor as a consultation partner and include a new Section 2 defining key terms like 'Department' and 'Program' for clarity.

Scope change

The bill's scope narrowed from a statewide program to a pilot program specifically for incarcerated individuals at the Baltimore City Correctional Center, while adding the Department of Labor as a required consultation partner.

SCOPE

Added a specific pilot program designation for incarcerated individuals at the Baltimore City Correctional Center to provide paid apprenticeship opportunities.

REQUIREMENT

Added requirement for the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services to consult with the Department of Labor when developing the apprenticeship program.

DEFINITION

Added Section 2 with new definitions for 'Department' (Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services) and 'Program' (Incarcerated Individual Apprenticeship Pilot Program).

TECHNICAL

Added sponsor names (Delegates Metzgar, Crutchfield, Kerr, Ruth, Schindler, Solomon, Terrasa, Wells, and Wu) and committee report status (Favorable with amendments) to the bill header.

Floor votes · House of Delegates Feb 28, 2026

How they voted

116–17

Passed · 9 other

Total votes 142

Feb 28, 2026

D Democratic103

96 Yea 7

93% Yea

R Republican39

20 Yea 17 Nay 2

51% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Mar 13, 2026

Committee

Referred Judicial Proceedings

upper

Mar 12, 2026

Lower · Passed

Third Reading Passed

lower

Mar 10, 2026

Lower · Passed

Favorable with Amendments {

lower

Mar 9, 2026

Lower · Passed

Favorable with Amendments Report by Government, Labor, and Elections

lower

Feb 28, 2026

House Of Delegates · Passed

House of Delegates Vote: pass (116-17-9)

house of delegates

Jan 14, 2026

Committee

First Reading Government, Labor, and Elections

lower

Oct 14, 2025

Introduced

Pre-filed

lower

9 primary · 0 co-sponsors