Labor & Employment

signed · Maryland · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 242: Modernizing Civil Relief for Service Members Act

SB 242, the Modernizing Civil Relief for Service Members Act, allows active-duty service members and their spouses to practice in Maryland under an occupational or professional license issued by another state, without needing to meet all of Maryland’s usual licensing requirements. It also expands eligibility for veterans’ licensing benefits to include former service members who were discharged more than a certain period before applying for a license. The bill creates new provisions (Subtitle 14A) in Maryland law to streamline this process and updates definitions to clarify who qualifies under these rules. These changes directly affect military personnel, their families, and veterans seeking to work in licensed professions across Maryland.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentFacilitates employment access for service members/veterans by easing occupational licensing barriers, aligning with employment standards support.85% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExpands veterans' licensing benefits to include former service members discharged beyond a certain period, directly advancing veteran employment opportunities.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Professional Licensing Military Families National Guard & Reserve Veteran Education

died · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 23, 2026

HB 370: Prince George's County - Income Tax - Credit for Employers Providing Parental Engagement Leave PG 419-26

HB 370 creates a state income tax credit for employers in Prince George’s County who provide "parental engagement leave" to qualified employees. The leave must be 10-20 hours per employee, paid at regular wage rates, and used solely for attending school-related events (e.g., parent-teacher conferences) at a public or nonpublic school in the county. Employers must obtain a certification form signed by school officials (e.g., principal and county board member) to claim the credit, which is calculated as the employee’s hourly wage multiplied by hours used, capped at $800 per employee annually. This credit directly affects PG County employers, qualified parents/guardians of school students, and school officials who verify attendance.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates state income tax credit for employers, providing tax relief and aligning with fiscal policies that strengthen tax incentives for qualifying programs.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates tax credit for employers providing paid leave for school events (e.g., parent-teacher conferences), directly enhancing parental engagement in K-12 education access.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentCreates tax credit for employers providing paid parental leave (10-20 hours) for school events, expanding employee benefits and supporting work-life balance within employment standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits Teachers Minimum Wage Professional Licensing

Track

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 6, 2026

HB 188: Unemployment Insurance Modernization Act of 2026

HB 188 modernizes Maryland's unemployment insurance system by changing how weekly benefit amounts and employer contribution rates are calculated. It sets the maximum weekly benefit at 40% of the state's average weekly wage (starting in 2027) and bases employer contributions on 16% of the average wage. The Department of Labor must annually update and publish these wage figures online by January 31. This affects all unemployed workers receiving benefits and employers contributing to the unemployment fund.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentSets max weekly benefit at 40% of average wage with annual updates, ensuring benefits adjust to wage growth and strengthen unemployment protections.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Unemployment

Track

died · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 17, 2026

HB 314: Automation Technology Deployment Assessment and Displaced Employee Retraining Fund - Established

HB 314 requires large Maryland employers (100+ employees who reduced their workforce by at least 10 due to automation) to report annual data on automation use and job losses starting in 2028. These employers must pay a $900 assessment per displaced employee (adjusted annually for inflation) to fund the Displaced Employee Retraining Fund. The fund supports retraining for workers separated from jobs due to automation technology, excluding voluntary departures or facility closures. Employers can reduce payments by 50% if they provide severance, retraining opportunities, or help place workers with smaller local employers.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesImposes $900 employer assessment to fund retraining program, creating new state revenue stream for workforce support under budget allocation.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates employer funding for retraining displaced workers due to automation, directly supporting worker transition and job re-employment under Labor & Employment standards.95% confidence

Track

passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 20, 2026

HB 536: Employment Discrimination - Reasonable Accommodations - Disabilities Due to Childbirth, Menopause, and Related Medical Conditions

HB 536 expands Maryland's employment discrimination protections to require reasonable accommodations for temporary disabilities related to childbirth, menopause, and lactation. It classifies these conditions as temporary disabilities under existing leave and benefits policies, mandating that employers treat them the same as other temporary disabilities for leave, seniority, and reinstatement. The bill requires employers to explore specific accommodations like modified duties, flexible hours, or transfers to less strenuous roles when requested. It also mandates employers to provide clear information about these rights to employees and allows health care provider certifications for accommodations, effective October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates reasonable accommodations for childbirth/menopause/lactation disabilities, treating them equally with other temporary disabilities under leave policies.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Employment Discrimination Paid Leave

Track

passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 7, 2026

HB 45: Labor and Employment - Mandatory Meetings on Religious or Political Matters - Employee Attendance and Participation (Maryland Worker Freedom Act)

HB 45, the Maryland Worker Freedom Act, prohibits employers from penalizing employees or job applicants who refuse to attend or participate in mandatory meetings where the employer expresses views on religious or political matters. It directly protects workers in non-exempt workplaces (excluding religious organizations, educational institutions, and government entities) from being fired, disciplined, or denied employment for declining such meetings. The bill requires employers to notify staff of these protections and provides a complaint process to the Labor Commissioner, who can impose fines up to $25,000 for violations or order reinstatement and back pay. Key exemptions include voluntary participation, required legal communications, and employer training mandated by law.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProhibits employer penalties for refusing religious/political meetings, directly protecting workers' rights in non-exempt workplaces per bill summary.95% confidence

Track

in committee · Maryland · Senate Jan 28, 2026

SB 44: State Retirement and Pension System - Forfeiture of Benefits

SB 44 would require forfeiture of pension benefits for public employees convicted of specific crimes committed while performing job duties. It applies to members of systems like police, teachers, correctional officers, and judges' pensions. The bill establishes procedures for courts to review requests for partial benefit payments within one year of conviction, considering factors like crime severity and financial need. It also protects existing court orders for spousal support or child custody from being altered by the forfeiture.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill reduces government spending by forfeiting pension benefits for convicted public employees, promoting fiscal responsibility in state budget management.85% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates pension forfeiture for law enforcement/correctional employees convicted of crimes during duty, enhancing accountability within criminal justice system.95% confidence ✗ Labor & EmploymentOpposes Labor & EmploymentBill mandates forfeiture of pension benefits for public employees convicted of job-related crimes, restricting a key employment benefit.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Pensions Courts Policing

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in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 11, 2026

SB 143: Public Works Contracts - Apprenticeship Requirements (Maryland Workforce Apprenticeship Utilization Act)

SB 143 requires contractors and subcontractors working on public works projects valued at $500,000 or more to employ a certain percentage of qualified apprentices or journeyworkers, replacing previous options to pay into apprenticeship funds instead. The bill establishes an annual "applicable percentage" for labor hours on covered projects, set by the Secretary of Labor, and applies to the University System of Maryland and Baltimore City Community College. It directly affects contractors with four or more employees on qualifying projects, mandating actual apprenticeship participation rather than financial contributions. Key provisions include defining "covered projects," "qualified apprentices," and creating a State Apprenticeship Training Fund to support workforce development.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates apprenticeship hiring for public projects, advancing workforce development and job opportunities for workers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Apprenticeships Workforce Development

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in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Jan 21, 2026

HB 86: State and Local Employees - Cancer Screening - Paid Leave

HB 86 would require Maryland state and local government employers to provide up to 4 hours of paid leave annually for employees to attend cancer screening appointments (e.g., mammograms, colonoscopies). This applies to all state employees (including temporary and part-time staff across executive, judicial, and legislative branches) and county/municipal employees. Employees must obtain supervisor approval before using the leave, and employers must establish procedures for requests and approvals. The bill, scheduled to take effect July 1, 2026, does not cover cancer treatment, only preventive screenings.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProvides paid leave for cancer screenings (mammograms, colonoscopies), directly improving access to preventive healthcare services for employees.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProvides paid leave for cancer screenings, expanding employee health benefits and protecting workers' rights to attend medical appointments without pay loss.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Paid Leave

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signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 14, 2026

SB 216: Unemployment Insurance - Confidentiality of Information

SB 216 updates Maryland's unemployment insurance confidentiality rules to align with federal requirements. It clarifies that claim details (including benefit amounts, address, and work refusal history), wage information, and other personal data are protected as "confidential unemployment insurance information." The bill allows limited disclosure to child support enforcement agencies when permitted under federal law, while adding penalties for unauthorized leaks by current or former Maryland Department of Labor employees. These changes directly affect unemployment claimants, employers, and child support agencies by defining how personal financial data may be shared.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProtects workers' personal data in unemployment claims, preventing unauthorized disclosure and aligning with federal privacy standards to safeguard sensitive information like benefit amounts and work history.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill explicitly protects personal data (confidentiality of unemployment info) under privacy safeguards, directly supporting data privacy within technology policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Unemployment Data Privacy