SB 793 creates a Maryland state income tax credit for employers who provide paid leave for employees donating organs. Qualified employers (those with a written policy paying 100% of wages during organ donation leave) can claim a credit equal to 100% of wages paid during the first 12 weeks of leave. Unused credit can be carried forward for up to three years. This directly affects employers offering this specific benefit and eligible employees who donate organs with physician verification.
SB 857, the Maryland Employee Civic Activity and Lawful Expression Protection Act, protects employees from employer retaliation for off-duty civic and political activities. It prohibits employers from firing, demoting, or punishing workers for engaging in protected activities like volunteering for causes, speaking publicly about issues, campaigning, or donating to political causes - unless the activity directly interferes with job duties. The law also bans employers from requiring political disclosures during hiring unless directly job-related or forcing employees to attend political events. Employees who face violations can sue directly in court for triple damages plus up to one year’s wages for wrongful termination. The law applies to all employees, including interns and part-timers, and covers both in-person and online expression.
SB 672 requires Maryland's State Department of Education to create a plan by December 1, 2026, to expand access to high-quality early childhood education and childcare for children from birth through age 3 in Prince George's County. The plan must analyze costs for parents, the county, and state; workforce needs for providers; current capacity to serve more children; and potential new revenue sources. It mandates consultation with Prince George's County and relevant state agencies during development. The bill directly affects infants and toddlers in Prince George's County, their families, and local childcare providers. The plan must be submitted to the Governor, state legislature, and Prince George's County delegation by the deadline, with implementation beginning July 1, 2026.
HB 1486 changes how Maryland calculates workers' compensation for employees injured while working multiple jobs. It requires combining wages from all concurrent employers at the time of injury to determine the average weekly wage for compensation claims. This replaces current rules and also directs the Subsequent Injury Fund to reimburse employers for certain permanent disability payments. The bill directly affects injured workers with multiple jobs and their employers in wage calculation scenarios.
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.
SB 944 establishes a Reentry Readiness Program within Maryland's Department of Public Safety to assist individuals transitioning from incarceration. It requires the Department to collaborate with the Motor Vehicle Administration, Vital Records, and the Department of Labor to help "returning citizens" (those expected to be released within 90 days) secure job training, obtain birth certificates, and apply for photo IDs or driver's licenses. Key timelines include: 90 days before release for job training enrollment, 60 days for ID/license forms, and 30 days for verification of completed assistance. The program mandates concrete support to address immediate barriers to reintegration, effective October 1, 2026.
HB 1584 establishes a regulatory framework for delivery network companies (like Uber Eats or DoorDash) and their drivers ("operators") in Maryland. It requires companies to obtain state permits and drivers to get licenses after background checks (including criminal history and driving records). The bill mandates accessibility standards for apps/websites and requires companies to provide reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities. These provisions directly affect gig economy drivers and delivery companies operating in Maryland, creating new licensing, transparency, and accessibility requirements.
HB 1619 requires developers working on Maryland's 28-acre State Center property in Baltimore City to include three key provisions in new or modified development contracts: (1) enforceable community benefits agreements with the State Center Neighborhood Alliance, (2) comprehensive local hiring plans targeting construction jobs and long-term employment, and (3) economic improvement plans prioritizing minority-, women-, and locally-owned businesses. It also establishes a State Center Advisory Group composed of neighborhood association representatives, anchor institutions (like universities and hospitals), and community organizations within a 1-mile radius. The group must provide community input, leverage development benefits for surrounding neighborhoods, and ensure transparency between the developer, state, and residents. This bill directly affects developers, the State Center Neighborhood Alliance, and Baltimore City residents near the State Center site.
SB 853 prohibits secrecy contracts (nondisclosure agreements) between individuals and entities involved in economic development activities, specifically including data center operators. It directly affects employees, contractors, and consultants working with such entities by banning these agreements under Maryland law. The bill amends the Economic Development Article to establish Section 1.5-101(B), which explicitly states that no individual may enter into a nondisclosure agreement with a person involved in economic development or data center operations. This change aims to increase transparency for public records related to these activities under the Public Information Act.
HB 895 prohibits large food retailers (defined as those with at least 15,000 square feet selling tax-exempt food) from using dynamic pricing (real-time price changes based on demand or AI) or consumer surveillance data to set prices for individual shoppers. It also bans retailers from using data about protected characteristics (like race or gender) to deny discounts or services to specific customers. The bill further protects union rights by preventing retailers from weakening employee benefits under existing collective bargaining agreements without negotiation. Violations would be treated as unfair trade practices under Maryland’s Consumer Protection Act, subject to enforcement and penalties.
