HB 388 Maryland House of Delegates · 2026 Regular Session

Baltimore County Public Library - Collective Bargaining - Supervisory Employees

HB 388 allows supervisory employees at Baltimore County Public Library to form unions and engage in collective bargaining, creating a dedicated bargaining unit for them alongside the existing unit for non-supervisory staff. It clarifies that some supervisory roles may be reclassified as "management employees" if their duties involve routine tasks rather than independent judgment, using specific criteria like whether they spend significant time working with non-supervisory staff. The bill preserves existing bargaining agreements and units in place before June 30, 2026, and takes effect July 1, 2026. This change directly affects library supervisors in Baltimore County by granting them formal collective bargaining rights previously restricted to non-supervisory employees.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Mar 2026
House of Delegates Passage
Apr 2026
Senate Passage
Apr 2026
Signed into Law
May 2026
Introduced Jan 21, 2026 Signed May 26, 2026
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What changed between versions

First - Baltimore County Public Library - Collective Bargaining - Supervisory Employees Third - Baltimore County Public Library - Collective Bargaining - Supervisory Employees · 4 edits
MODERATE
The bill was amended to clarify that the new collective bargaining rules apply only to future agreements, protecting existing contracts from being altered. Additionally, the definition of a 'supervisory employee' was expanded to include those who address and resolve employee grievances, broadening the group excluded from union representation.
Scope change
The bill now explicitly preserves any collective bargaining agreements or bargaining units that existed before June 30, 2026, preventing retroactive changes to current contracts.
TIMELINE

Added a specific date (June 30, 2026) to establish a clear cutoff for when new rules apply versus when existing contracts remain protected.

DEFINITION

Expanded the definition of 'supervisory employee' to include individuals authorized to address and resolve employee grievances.

REQUIREMENT

Added a requirement for the Board to submit collective bargaining agreements to the County Executive for review regarding potential funding needs.

TECHNICAL

Reorganized the bill's structure to repeal and reenact specific sections rather than adding new ones, likely for legislative consistency.

Floor votes · House of Delegates Mar 5, 2026

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
12
Key actions
9
Committee
6
May 26, 2026
Signed into law
Approved by the Governor - Chapter 757
executive
Apr 7, 2026
Lower · Passed
Returned Passed
lower
Apr 6, 2026
Upper · Passed
Third Reading Passed
upper
Mar 31, 2026
Upper · Passed
Favorable Adopted Second Reading Passed
upper
Mar 30, 2026
Upper · Passed
Favorable Report by Finance
upper
Mar 19, 2026
Committee
Referred Finance
upper
Mar 18, 2026
Lower · Passed
Third Reading Passed
lower
Mar 17, 2026
Lower · Passed
Favorable Adopted Second Reading Passed
lower
Mar 16, 2026
Lower · Passed
Favorable Report by Government, Labor, and Elections
lower
Mar 5, 2026
House Of Delegates · Passed
House of Delegates Vote: pass (100-34-8)
house of delegates
Jan 21, 2026
Committee
First Reading Government, Labor, and Elections
lower
13 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors