Labor & Employment (Professional Licensing)

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 20, 2026

HB 1539: Maryland Labor Relations Act

HB 1539 creates the Maryland Labor Relations Board as an independent state agency to oversee collective bargaining for certain private sector employees. The bill establishes that eligible employees have the right to form or join unions, elect certified representatives, and engage in collective bargaining with employers. It outlines procedures for union elections, certification of representatives, and resolving disputes over unfair labor practices. The law specifically covers most private sector workers but excludes agricultural laborers, domestic workers, independent contractors, and supervisors. The new board will enforce these provisions and handle related elections and complaints.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentEstablishes independent board for collective bargaining rights, protects union formation/elections, and outlines dispute resolution procedures for private sector workers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining Professional Licensing

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passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 19, 2026

HB 1108: Labor and Employment - Greenhouse Workers - Collective Bargaining and Heat Protection

HB 1108 grants collective bargaining rights to workers in Maryland greenhouses (controlled-environment agricultural operations), allowing them to form unions and negotiate wages, hours, and working conditions with employers. The bill requires the state Labor Secretary to establish regulations for union elections, certification, and resolving bargaining disputes, while mandating greenhouse employers to provide rest breaks during extreme heat to prevent heat-related illness. This law directly affects greenhouse workers and their employers, creating a formal process for union representation and heat protection. It amends Maryland's labor code to include these specific protections for greenhouse workers, who previously lacked these rights under state law.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates rest breaks during extreme heat to prevent heat-related illness, directly protecting worker health and aligning with public health safety measures.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentGrants collective bargaining rights and mandates heat protection for greenhouse workers, advancing labor rights and workplace safety.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining Labor Standards Professional Licensing

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in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 16, 2026

HB 1115: Education - Career Ladder - National Board Certification Associated Salary Increases

HB 1115 clarifies that Maryland public school teachers holding a National Board Certification (NBC) with a 10-year award period (awarded by December 31, 2021) are eligible for specific salary increases tied to the career ladder. The bill establishes a $10,000 salary increase for becoming an NBC teacher and an additional $7,000 for teaching at a low-performing school, applying retroactively to eligible teachers. It also sets a minimum teacher salary of $60,000 starting July 1, 2026, and specifies that teachers meeting multiple criteria receive all applicable increases. This bill directly affects certified public school teachers in Maryland who hold qualifying NBC credentials.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill mandates $10k/$7k salary increases for certified teachers retroactively and sets $60k minimum salary, directly increasing state education budget allocation.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill provides $10k salary increase for NBC-certified teachers and $7k for low-performing schools, establishing minimum $60k salary - directly supports teacher compensation and retention.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentIncreases teacher salaries via $10k NBC bonus and $7k low-perf school stipend, retroactive, aligns with wage protection for workers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers Professional Licensing

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

HB 1173: State Procurement - Contractors and Vendors - Restrictions on Use of State Funds and Resources

HB 1173 prohibits state contractors and vendors from using public funds to influence employees of their company (including subcontractors) regarding union membership or support for employee organizations. It specifically bans using state funds to fund anti-union campaigns, efforts to prevent collective bargaining rights, or activities opposing union certification. The law applies to all contractors and vendors working with state government units, covering both direct employee influence and third-party anti-union activities. Exceptions include standard collective bargaining processes, grievance resolution, and activities required by law. This bill directly affects state contractors, vendors, and their employees by restricting how public funds can be used in labor relations.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProhibits state contractors from using public funds for anti-union campaigns, protecting collective bargaining rights and worker organizing efforts.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining Professional Licensing

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in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 11, 2026

HB 1492: Collective Bargaining - Public Employees - Revocation of Certification and School and Library Employees' Right to Strike

HB 1492 establishes the right to strike for specific public school and library employees in Maryland, including certificated and noncertificated staff like substitute teachers, nurses, and JROTC instructors in certain counties. The bill prohibits public school and library employers from taking disciplinary action against employees who participate in or support strikes. It repeals the Public Employee Relations Board’s authority to deny or revoke a union’s certification as an exclusive bargaining representative under certain circumstances. These changes apply to defined groups of employees under Maryland’s Education Article, ensuring their collective bargaining rights are protected from employer retaliation.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill protects teachers' right to strike and prohibits retaliation, strengthening educator rights and workplace protections in K-12 education.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentEstablishes strike rights for public school/library employees, prohibits disciplinary action for striking, and strengthens union certification protections per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Libraries Collective Bargaining Professional Licensing Public Employees

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in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 16, 2026

HB 1521: Income Tax - Credit for Contributions, Volunteerism, and Employment Initiatives for At-Risk Youth

HB 1521 creates a Maryland state income tax credit for individuals and businesses that support at-risk youth through donations, volunteering, or hiring. It allows a 50% credit on contributions to certified organizations (max $5,000 for individuals, $100,000 for businesses), $25 per volunteer day at schools/recreation centers (max $500 annually), and $1,000 per hired at-risk youth (max $5,000 annually). The credit applies only to youth aged 12-25 facing challenges like homelessness, foster care aging out, or living in designated high-poverty areas. Taxpayers must apply for certification through the Department of Commerce, with a $10 million annual cap on total credits.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates tax credits reducing liability for supporting youth programs, aligning with tax relief and fiscal responsibility for community initiatives.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill provides tax credits to incentivize hiring at-risk youth (12-25), directly advancing employment opportunities for vulnerable workers through business incentives.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits Professional Licensing

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passed · Maryland · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 957: Education - Career Ladder - National Board Certification Associated Salary Increases

SB 957 clarifies that Maryland public school teachers holding a National Board Certification (NBC) with a 10-year award period are eligible for specific salary increases tied to their career ladder status. It establishes a $8,000 salary increase for renewing a 10-year NBC, plus $7,000 for a first maintenance renewal after 5 years, and $6,000 for a second maintenance renewal. The bill applies retroactively to teachers with eligible 10-year certifications and ensures these salary increases are separate from other career ladder benefits like the $10,000 increase for initially becoming an NBC teacher. It directly affects certified classroom teachers in Maryland public schools who hold or renew this specific type of National Board Certification.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill provides $8k-$7k salary increases for National Board Certified teachers, directly supporting educator compensation and retention in K-12 education.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill provides $6,000-$8,000 salary increases for certified teachers, directly advancing wage standards and career progression for educators within Labor & Employment.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers Professional Licensing

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in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 11, 2026

SB 930: State Police Retirement System - Special Disability Retirement

SB 930 allows certain Maryland State Police retirees who participated in the Deferred Retirement Option Program (DROP) to apply for special disability retirement benefits if they became totally and permanently disabled due to a work-related injury while enrolled in DROP. It specifically targets DROP participants who: enrolled after July 1, 2020; had a work-related accident before enrolling; and stopped participating in DROP before July 1, 2026. These retirees must submit an application by December 31, 2026, to qualify for disability benefits calculated based on their final compensation date. The bill modifies existing retirement rules to create this eligibility window without changing the medical requirements for disability certification.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProvides disability retirement benefits for state police retirees injured on the job, expanding worker benefits for work-related injuries.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Professional Licensing

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died · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 16, 2026

HB 1579: State Personnel - Family and Medical Leave - Limits and Use

HB 1579 modifies Maryland state employee leave policies for family and medical care. It allows employees to take up to 30 days of paid leave without medical certification for childcare following a birth or adoption placement, and up to 60 days total for two employees jointly caring for a child. The bill also ensures state units cannot limit federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) coverage below 24 weeks for Executive Branch employees caring for a newborn, adopted child, or a child with a serious health condition. These changes apply specifically to employees in the State Personnel Management System within Maryland's Executive Branch, effective July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill expands paid family leave for state employees, removing medical certification barriers and ensuring minimum 24 weeks coverage for newborns/adoptions, strengthening worker benefits.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Paid Leave Professional Licensing Public Employees

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passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 13, 2026

HB 797: Employment Discrimination - Fire and Rescue Public Safety Employees - Use of Medical Cannabis

HB 797 prohibits employers from discriminating against fire and rescue public safety employees who use medical cannabis, provided they have a valid written certification from a licensed healthcare provider under Maryland's medical cannabis program. The bill modifies existing law to clarify that an employer cannot take adverse employment actions (like termination or denial of promotion) solely due to medical cannabis use, as long as the employee meets the state's certification requirements. It updates definitions in Maryland law to ensure fire and rescue employees qualify for the same protections as other medical cannabis patients under the existing program. The law does not override workplace safety rules or require employers to accommodate cannabis use during work hours.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProtects employment rights for medical cannabis users under state healthcare program, advancing patient access to treatment without discrimination95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProhibits employment discrimination against medical cannabis users in fire/rescue roles, protecting workers' rights under state certification requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Employment Discrimination Professional Licensing Workplace Safety Tags Public Safety

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