Labor & Employment

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 12, 2026

HB 1185: Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission - Personnel Management - Appeals of Disciplinary Suspensions PG/MC 104-26

HB 1185 requires the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSUSC) to follow specific steps before disciplining employees, including investigating misconduct, meeting with the employee, and considering mitigating circumstances. It sets a 30-day deadline for disciplinary actions after the Commission learns of misconduct, but allows suspensions without pay within 5 workdays (excluding weekends/holidays). Employees suspended can appeal to the Office of Administrative Hearings, which must resolve the case promptly. The bill directly affects WSUSC employees and ensures procedural fairness in disciplinary proceedings.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRequires due process before disciplinary actions, protecting employees from arbitrary punishment through investigations, meetings, and appeal rights.90% confidence

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 13, 2026

HB 1414: Nursing Homes - Direct Care Wages and Benefits and Cost Reports

HB 1414 requires Maryland nursing homes to spend at least 75% of their nursing and residential care revenue on direct care staff wages and benefits, including nurses, dietary workers, and therapists. It also mandates that nursing homes submit detailed annual cost reports by September 1 (starting in 2027) to the Maryland Department of Health, including proof of wage payments and other required data. Failure to comply could lead to enforcement actions such as corrective plans or suspension from the Maryland Medicaid program. The bill directly affects all nursing homes operating in Maryland and takes effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates 75% revenue allocation for direct care staff wages/benefits in nursing homes, directly improving staffing quality and patient care access in healthcare facilities.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates 75% revenue allocation for direct care staff wages/benefits, ensuring higher compensation and compliance reporting for nursing home workers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Long-Term Care Medicaid

Track

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 3, 2026

HB 1246: Maryland Department of Health - Employment Training and Opportunity Database

HB 1246 requires the Maryland Department of Health to create and maintain a public database listing job training and employment programs across the state. This database will help individuals qualify for or maintain eligibility for Maryland Medical Assistance (Medicaid) and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits by connecting them directly to relevant training opportunities. Key provisions include monthly updates to the database, coordination with agencies like the Department of Labor and Human Services to recommend programs, and a direct contact mechanism for users to enroll in listed programs. The bill aims to streamline access to workforce development resources for residents seeking to improve their economic stability while qualifying for state assistance programs.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill connects job training to Medicaid/SNAP eligibility, improving access to healthcare benefits by maintaining program eligibility through employment opportunities.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill creates database linking job training to Medicaid/SNAP eligibility, advancing employment access and workforce opportunities.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Workforce Development

Track

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 1280: Supporting Our Caregiver Infrastructure Program - Feasibility Study

HB 1280 directs Maryland's Comptroller to study whether a program providing monthly payments to caregivers for specific family members would be feasible. The study must examine economic impacts like potential job growth, increased tax revenue, and reduced public benefits use, while assessing costs and funding options. It requires collaboration with the Department of Human Services and agencies like the Department of Aging, with a final report due by July 1, 2027. The bill expires June 30, 2028, and does not create the program itself.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill studies potential tax revenue increases and reduced public benefits use, aligning with fiscal responsibility indicators for budget/taxes.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFeasibility study for caregiver payments aims to enhance healthcare infrastructure access through potential program implementation, aligning with support indicators like improved patient access and caregiver support.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill studies caregiver payments program to assess economic benefits including job growth and reduced public benefits, aligning with expanding worker benefits in labor policy.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Audits & Accountability Revenue

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

Sub-Topics Procurement Apprenticeships Workforce Development

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

Sub-Topics Apprenticeships

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

Sub-Topics Property Development

in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 12, 2026

SB 539: Department of Social and Economic Mobility – Workforce Opportunities Grant Program and Fund

SB 539 establishes the Workforce Opportunities Grant Program to provide competitive grants to nonprofits, local workforce boards, and employer-community partnerships for planning and hosting job fairs and workforce events across Maryland. It creates a permanent "Workforce Opportunities Grant Fund" (nonlapsing) to finance the program, with interest earnings automatically credited to the fund. The Department of Social and Economic Mobility will administer the program, connecting job seekers with employers through these funded events. This directly affects organizations organizing workforce events and job fairs, aiming to expand employment opportunities for residents.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates permanent nonlapsing fund for workforce program, increasing state budget allocation for job training initiatives.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentEstablishes permanent grant program to fund job fairs/workforce events connecting job seekers with employers, advancing employment opportunities through direct funding and administration by workforce-focused department.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Workforce Development

Track

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 13, 2026

HB 1013: Prince George’s County Special Education Service Delivery, Transparency, and Accountability Act

HB 1013 requires Prince George’s County Public Schools to fund full-time salaries and benefits (including health insurance) for all one-to-one student aides starting in the 2027-2028 school year. It mandates quarterly reports to the county board and state education department on key metrics like aide vacancy rates, IEP service delivery, and compensatory services completion. The bill also requires the county superintendent to provide annual professional development for special education staff and directs the state to hire a third-party auditor to review the county’s special education department for fiscal years 2021-2025. These provisions directly affect Prince George’s County’s special education program, its staff, and students with individualized education plans (IEPs).

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates county funding for special education aides' salaries/benefits, increasing public service spending under fiscal management.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates full-time aide funding, accountability reports, and staff development for special education, directly advancing K-12 special education services and support.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly requires health insurance as part of benefits for student aides, expanding health coverage for school staff.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates full-time salaries, benefits (including health insurance), and professional development for special education aides, strengthening employment conditions and worker benefits.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Special Education Insurance

Track

passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 25, 2026

HB 1241: Labor and Employment - Bereavement Leave and Leave for Family Illness - Qualifying Relationships and Type of Leave

HB 1241 expands Maryland's bereavement leave eligibility by redefining "qualified relationships" to include more individuals beyond immediate family. The bill adds grandparents, siblings, domestic partners, step-relatives, adoptive/foster relations, and de facto partners to the list of relationships qualifying for paid bereavement leave. This change directly affects Maryland employees who experience the death of these individuals, allowing them to take paid leave under state law. The bill amends Section 3-802 of the Maryland Annotated Code without altering leave duration or pay structure, maintaining existing employer thresholds (15+ employees) and excluding federal FMLA coverage.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands paid bereavement leave eligibility to include grandparents, siblings, domestic partners, and others, directly increasing worker benefits under Labor & Employment policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Paid Leave

Track