Labor & Employment

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 12, 2026

HB 1248: Workgroup for an Inclusive State Workplace - Established

HB 1248 establishes a 3-year pilot program (2026-2029) requiring five selected Maryland state agencies to convert eligible full-time positions into two part-time roles with prorated benefits. The bill mandates agencies to evaluate full-time vacancies for potential conversion to part-time roles and document reasons if conversion isn’t possible. It directly affects participating state agencies and future job seekers by increasing part-time employment options with benefits in state government. Agencies must report annually on conversion status and new part-time hires to the Governor and General Assembly. The program aims to improve workforce inclusivity by expanding flexible work opportunities without altering existing part-time employment rules.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentCreates part-time roles with prorated benefits, expanding access to state employment benefits and increasing part-time options without reducing compensation.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 12, 2026

HB 864: Public Works Contracts - Apprenticeship Requirements (Maryland Workforce Apprenticeship Utilization Act)

HB 864 (Maryland Workforce Apprenticeship Utilization Act) requires contractors and subcontractors on Maryland public works projects to employ a minimum percentage of qualified apprentices or journeyworkers instead of paying fees to apprenticeship programs. The bill expands this requirement to cover construction projects for the University System of Maryland and Baltimore City Community College. It repeals current provisions allowing contractors to pay fees in lieu of hiring apprentices and directs the Secretary of Labor to set an annual apprenticeship hiring percentage for each project. This policy change directly affects contractors bidding on public construction projects valued above specific thresholds, aiming to increase on-the-job training opportunities in skilled trades.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill requires apprenticeships for construction at higher education institutions (University System of Maryland, community college), expanding educational access via on-the-job training and repealing fee payments.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates direct hiring of apprentices instead of fees, expanding workforce opportunities and strengthening apprenticeship programs by repealing fee-in-lieu provisions.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

signed · Maryland · Senate May 12, 2026

SB 964: Public Works Contracts - Apprenticeship Requirements (Maryland Workforce Apprenticeship Utilization Act)

SB 964 requires contractors and subcontractors working on Maryland public works projects to employ a specific percentage of qualified apprentices or experienced workers, replacing previous options to pay apprenticeship programs instead of hiring. It applies to all state-funded construction projects and newly includes the University System of Maryland and Baltimore City Community College. The Secretary of Labor must set an annual apprenticeship percentage target for projects, with limited waivers allowed for specific circumstances. The bill amends existing procurement laws to enforce these hiring requirements as a core part of public works contracting.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates contractors to hire specific apprenticeship percentages on public works, strengthening workforce development and employment standards per bill text.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

signed · Maryland · Senate May 12, 2026

SB 673: State Procurement - Apprenticeship Program Accountability and Completion

SB 673 requires state contractors working on covered projects (like construction or public works) to use registered apprenticeship programs that meet minimum completion rates set by the Maryland Department of Labor. Contractors must verify compliance through payments to the State Apprenticeship Training Fund or direct participation in approved programs. The bill amends existing procurement laws to hold contractors accountable for apprenticeship program effectiveness, aiming to improve workforce development outcomes. It takes effect October 1, 2026, and applies to all relevant state procurement contracts.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRequires contractor payments into State Apprenticeship Training Fund, directing state funds toward workforce development program funding.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates state contractors to use registered apprenticeship programs meeting minimum completion rates, strengthening workforce development and employment standards through accountability measures.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 12, 2026

HB 1165: State Procurement - Apprenticeship Program Accountability and Completion

HB 1165 requires contractors working on certain state procurement contracts (called "covered procurements") to use apprenticeship programs with a minimum 25% completion rate, as determined by the Maryland Department of Labor. This applies to state contracts meeting specific criteria established by the Chief Procurement Officer. Contractors must provide written verification of program compliance before receiving a contract. The bill aims to ensure apprenticeship programs meet quality standards for state-funded projects.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRequires 25% apprenticeship completion rate to ensure quality training programs, advancing workforce development standards.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

signed · Maryland · Senate May 12, 2026

SB 818: State Center - Development - Contract, Plan Requirements, and Advisory Group

SB 818 amends Maryland law to establish new requirements for developing the 28-acre State Center property in Baltimore City. It requires all new or modified development contracts to include an enforceable community benefits agreement with the State Center Neighborhood Alliance, a local hiring plan with job goals, and an economic improvement plan prioritizing minority- and women-owned businesses. The bill also creates a State Center Advisory Group composed of neighborhood associations, anchor institutions, and community organizations within a 1-mile radius to provide community input, leverage neighborhood benefits, and ensure transparency. This directly affects the developer of the State Center project and surrounding Baltimore neighborhoods.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingMandates community benefits agreements, local hiring plans, and minority/women-owned business prioritization in housing development contracts, advancing equitable housing policies.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill mandates local hiring plan with job goals and prioritizes minority/women-owned businesses, directly advancing employment standards and equitable workforce opportunities.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 12, 2026

HB 503: Baltimore City Sheriff's Office - Collective Bargaining - Compensation

HB 503 allows full-time sworn deputy sheriffs (at lieutenant rank or below) and court security officers in Baltimore City to collectively bargain over compensation - including salary, wages, and city-managed benefits - as well as leave, hours, working conditions, and job security. It requires these officers to negotiate jointly with both the Sheriff and Baltimore City (not just one entity) for these matters, removing previous restrictions that excluded salary from bargaining. The bill excludes captains, appointed staff, civilian employees, part-timers, and temporary workers from these collective bargaining rights. This changes existing law to expand bargaining scope for eligible officers while specifying the joint negotiation process.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill removes exclusion of salary from collective bargaining for officers, expanding their right to negotiate compensation and working conditions under labor rights framework.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

signed · Maryland · Senate May 12, 2026

SB 305: Qualifying Nonprofit Organizations - Incarcerated Individual Training and Reentry Grant Fund - Extension

SB 305 extends funding for nonprofit organizations providing automotive repair training and reentry services to formerly incarcerated individuals in Maryland. It extends the grant period from fiscal years 2026-2028 to 2026-2029, authorizing $1 million annually for qualifying nonprofits that train at least 50 individuals yearly in auto repair and achieve a 50% job placement rate for participants. The Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention administers the grants, requiring nonprofits to submit annual reports on fund usage, participant numbers, and employment outcomes. This bill directly affects nonprofits meeting specific service criteria and supports employment pathways for formerly incarcerated individuals.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill authorizes $1 million annually for nonprofit reentry programs, directly funding a social service through state budget allocation.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExtends funding for job training/reentry programs for formerly incarcerated individuals, directly reducing recidivism through employment opportunities and rehabilitation.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExtends funding for job training and placement programs targeting formerly incarcerated individuals, directly advancing employment outcomes and workforce reentry through mandated job placement rates.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

signed · Maryland · Senate May 12, 2026

SB 243: Uniformed Services Spouses Act

SB 243 expands existing Maryland benefits for military service members to include their spouses. It provides spouses of active-duty service members and veterans with priority enrollment at public colleges, access to community college resources (including dedicated advisors and veteran resource centers), and eligibility for senatorial and delegate scholarships. The bill also extends hiring preferences for spouses in state government roles through the Public Service Commission. These benefits apply within 15 years of the service member’s last active duty and end after the spouse’s fourth academic year. The law amends specific sections of Maryland’s education, labor, and state personnel codes to include "spouse of an eligible service member" as a qualifying status.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill provides priority enrollment, scholarships, and resources for military spouses at public colleges, directly expanding higher education access and support.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExtends hiring preferences for military spouses in state government roles, enhancing employment opportunities and benefits for a specific workforce group.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExpands benefits to spouses of veterans (priority college enrollment, resources, scholarships, state hiring) strengthening veteran support system.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 28, 2026

SB 710: Correctional Officers' Retirement System - Reemployment After Retirement - Exemption from Earnings Offset

SB 710 exempts retirees from Maryland's Correctional Officers' Retirement System from having their retirement benefits reduced if they return to work as correctional officers or parole/probation staff in specific state correctional facilities. The bill amends pension law to remove the earnings offset requirement for these retirees when reemployed by the Division of Corrections, Division of Pretrial Detention, or Patuxent Institution for up to four years. This directly affects correctional officers who retired from the system and are rehired in authorized roles within state correctional facilities. The change ensures their retirement payments remain unchanged during this reemployment period, unlike the standard rule that reduces benefits for most other retirees returning to work.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExempts correctional retirees from earnings offset, facilitating workforce retention in corrections, directly supporting system stability and operational continuity.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExempts correctional officer retirees from earnings offset, preserving retirement benefits upon reemployment in specific state facilities.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment