Labor & Employment

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 828: State Board of Education - Membership - Employee of a County Board of Education

HB 828 adds a new "Educational Support Member" position to Maryland's State Board of Education, directly affecting noncertificated, non-supervisory school support staff (like paraprofessionals or clerical workers in bargaining units). The bill requires the Governor to appoint this member based on an election conducted by eligible educational support professionals across the state, following regulations set by the Department of Education. The new member can attend and participate in board meetings but cannot vote on appeals to the State Board under specific sections of law. This change modifies existing board membership rules to include representation from this specific school support workforce category.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAdds representation for support staff on education board, strengthening their voice in policy decisions affecting schools.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentCreates elected position for school support staff on education board, enabling direct representation in policy decisions affecting their workplace85% confidence

in committee · Maryland · Senate Apr 13, 2026

SB 880: Workgroup for an Inclusive State Workplace - Established

SB 880 establishes Maryland's Part-Time State Employment Pilot Program (part of the Maryland Workforce Retention, Recruitment, and Reentry Act) to increase part-time state jobs with benefits. It requires five selected state agencies to evaluate full-time vacancies and convert eligible roles into two part-time positions with proportional benefits (e.g., health coverage prorated by hours). The bill mandates annual reports to the Governor and General Assembly on agency participation and new part-time hires, beginning December 2026. The program runs for three years (until June 2029) and applies specifically to participating agencies and future job seekers in converted roles.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates prorated benefits (e.g., health coverage) for converted part-time state jobs, expanding worker benefits under employment program.95% confidence

Track

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 14, 2026

HB 478: Income Tax - Subtraction Modification for Classroom Supplies Purchased by Teachers - Alteration

HB 478 modifies Maryland's income tax by expanding the existing $250 deduction for unreimbursed classroom supply expenses to include prekindergarten teachers. Previously, only K-12 classroom teachers qualified; this bill explicitly adds prekindergarten teachers employed full-time in state programs. The deduction remains limited to $250 per year for supplies used by students or for teaching preparation, excluding expenses already deducted federally. This change affects prekindergarten teachers statewide who purchase classroom supplies without reimbursement, effective for taxable years starting after December 31, 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands income tax deduction for teachers, providing tax relief to prekindergarten educators without increasing government spending.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands tax deduction for preK teachers' classroom supplies, supporting educator financial relief and expanding access to teacher expense benefits.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands tax deduction for prekindergarten teachers' classroom supplies, providing financial support for work-related expenses under employment benefits.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax K-12 Education Teachers

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Jan 19, 2026

HB 18: Transportation Network Companies - Transportation Network Operators - Minimum Payments for Passenger Trips

HB 18 requires app-based ride services (like Uber or Lyft) operating in Maryland to pay drivers a minimum rate for passenger trips starting July 1, 2026. Drivers must receive at least $1.66 per mile, $0.40 per minute, a $5 minimum per trip regardless of distance, and additional pay for wheelchair-accessible vehicle trips. The minimum rates automatically adjust yearly based on inflation, using the Consumer Price Index, to maintain purchasing power. This bill directly affects drivers who provide transportation through digital platforms in Maryland, ensuring baseline compensation for their work.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates minimum pay rates ($1.66/mile, $0.40/min, $5 trip min) with inflation adjustments, directly protecting gig workers' earnings and strengthening wage standards.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill establishes minimum pay rates for ride-share drivers, directly regulating vehicle services within transportation policy.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Gig Economy

Track

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Jan 29, 2026

HB 507: Qualifying Nonprofit Organizations - Incarcerated Individual Training and Reentry Grant Fund - Extension

HB 507 extends the funding period for a grant program supporting nonprofit organizations that provide automotive repair training and reentry services to incarcerated and formerly incarcerated individuals. The bill allows the Governor to appropriate $1 million annually from fiscal years 2026 through 2029 (previously ending in 2028) for qualifying nonprofits that train at least 50 people yearly, provide nationally recognized automotive repair certificates, and achieve a 50% job placement rate for participants. These organizations must report on fund usage, participant numbers, and employment outcomes to the Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention. The extension ensures continued access to job training and employment opportunities for formerly incarcerated individuals in Maryland.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExtends annual $1M appropriation for nonprofit reentry programs, advancing state funding for public services.90% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExtends $1M annual funding for nonprofits providing automotive repair training/reentry services to incarcerated individuals, aiming to reduce recidivism via job placement and certification programs.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExtends $1M annual funding for job training/reentry programs requiring 50% job placement, directly advancing employment outcomes for formerly incarcerated workers.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole Workforce Development

Track

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

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole Workforce Development

passed both · Maryland · Senate Apr 13, 2026

SB 389: Land Use - Transit-Oriented Development - Alterations (Maryland Transit and Housing Opportunity Act)

SB 389, the Maryland Transit and Housing Opportunity Act, automatically designates transit-oriented development (TOD) areas near rail stations with hourly weekday service (8 a.m.-6 p.m.) as enterprise zones - bypassing normal limits on such designations. It requires Maryland’s development corporation to prioritize loans for projects redeveloping state-owned land near rail stations and delays development taxes/fees for qualifying residential projects. The bill also adds project labor agreements as a scoring factor for TOD funding and adjusts local land-use regulations to support transit-focused development. Directly affecting developers, local governments, and communities near transit hubs, it aims to accelerate housing and infrastructure near rail corridors.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesDelays development taxes/fees for qualifying residential projects, providing tax incentive to promote transit-oriented development90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingDesignates TOD areas as enterprise zones, prioritizes loans for state land redevelopment, and delays fees for residential projects - all advancing housing development near transit.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRequires project labor agreements for transit development projects, ensuring fair wages and union standards in construction labor.85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationDesignates TOD areas near rail stations, prioritizes transit-oriented projects, delays fees for housing near transit - directly advancing public transit infrastructure and sustainable transportation access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Housing Finance Zoning Public Transit Rail

Track

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Jan 15, 2026

HB 201: Income Tax - Tips or Gratuities - Subtraction Modification (No Income Taxes on Tips Act)

HB 201 exempts tips and gratuities from Maryland state income tax for workers in specific service industries. It directly affects employees in food service, hotels, limousine services, passenger-for-hire transportation, and taxicab services. The bill modifies Maryland tax law to exclude tips received in these roles from taxable income calculations. This change takes effect for tax years beginning after December 31, 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExempts service workers' tips from state income tax, providing direct tax relief for lower-income earners in targeted industries per bill's explicit modification of tax law.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExempts tips from state tax, increasing net earnings for service workers in affected industries, directly strengthening worker compensation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax

Track

signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 14, 2026

SB 262: Income Tax - Subtraction Modification for Classroom Supplies Purchased by Teachers - Alteration

SB 262 expands Maryland's income tax deduction for teachers by adding prekindergarten teachers to the list of eligible educators who can deduct up to $250 annually for unreimbursed classroom supply expenses. The bill amends tax code sections to include prekindergarten classroom teachers employed full-time in state programs as "eligible teachers," alongside existing K-12 teachers. This deduction applies only to supplies used by students or for teaching preparation, and excludes expenses already deducted federally. The change takes effect for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands tax deduction for teachers, providing tax relief to middle-income educators via $250 annual classroom supply deduction.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands tax deduction for teachers to include prekindergarten educators, providing financial relief for classroom supplies. Directly supports educators through tax benefit expansion.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands tax deduction for teachers' unreimbursed classroom supplies, enhancing financial support for educators as part of employment benefits.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax K-12 Education Teachers

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 512: Anne Arundel County - Board of License Commissioners and Part-Time Inspectors - Compensation

HB 512 increases minimum annual salaries for Anne Arundel County's Board of License Commissioners and part-time inspectors, effective July 1, 2026. The bill sets a new minimum $21,240 annual salary for the board chair (up from $18,000), $17,700 for other board members (up from $15,000), and $8,260 for each of the 18 part-time inspectors (up from $7,000). All salaries must include any cost-of-living adjustments available to Anne Arundel County employees. Additionally, part-time inspectors receive a $300 monthly expense allowance subject to approval. The bill directly affects these specific county positions handling alcohol beverage licensing.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases county government spending on employee compensation, directly funding public service roles through mandated salary hikes.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentIncreases minimum salaries for county board members and inspectors, directly advancing wage standards for public employees per Labor & Employment indicators.95% confidence