Maryland Governor Larry Hogan has signed a new Executive Order (Order) that mandates all individuals living in Maryland to stay at home unless they work in “Essential Businesses,” are engaged in “Essential Activities,” or are engaged in other limited activity. The Order went into effect at 8:00 p.m. on March 30, 2020, and will remain effective until after the termination of the state of emergency and the proclamation of the catastrophic health emergency has been rescinded, or until rescinded, superseded, amended, or revised by additional orders.
Articles Discussing General Topics In Maryland Labor & Employment Law.
Proposed Project Labor Agreement in Baltimore Opposed by Large Companies, Minority Construction Contractors
An effort by several Baltimore City Councilmembers to mandate project labor agreements (PLAs) for certain large city contracts has triggered strong opposition from the city’s contracting community.
What Employers Need to Know About Maryland’s Approach to COVID-19
Maryland has taken far-reaching and proactive steps to minimize the impact of the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19), including expanding unemployment insurance, prohibiting the termination of employees who have been isolated or quarantined, limiting gatherings of 10 people or more, and closing non-essential businesses.
Maryland Becomes Latest State to ‘Ban the Box’
Maryland has joined a growing number of jurisdictions by enacting a “ban-the-box” law prohibiting employers from asking job applicants about their criminal history on the initial job application. The new Maryland law, the Criminal Record Screening Practices Act, will take effect on February 29, 2020.
Maryland Enacts a Statewide “Ban-the-Box” Law
During the 2019 legislative session, Governor Larry Hogan vetoed the Criminal Records Screening (or “Ban-the-Box”) Act. On January 30, 2020, however, the Maryland General Assembly overrode the governor’s veto, making it unlawful for any employer in the State of Maryland with 15 or more employees to inquire into an applicant’s criminal history before the employer conducts its first in-person interview. The law takes effect on February 29, 2020. Importantly, the law does not preempt the more restrictive ban-the-box ordinances enacted in Montgomery County, Prince George’s County, and Baltimore City.
Maryland Again Amends its Data Breach Notification Law
In response to trends, heightened public awareness, and a string of large-scale data breaches, states continue to enhance their data breach notification laws. In 2017 Maryland amended its Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA) with expansion of the definition of personal information, modification of the definition of “breach of the security of the system”, establishing a 45-day timeframe for notification and expansion of the class of information subject to Maryland’s data destruction laws. Now, Maryland has again amended PIPA, with HB 1154 in effect from October 1, 2019, notably enhancing the requirements for a business once it becomes aware of a data security breach.
October Brings Employment Law Changes to Maryland
October in Maryland is a time of ripening pumpkins and falling leaves. October 1 is also the date when many (but not all) laws passed by the Maryland General Assembly go into effect. This year’s batch of new employment laws contains a couple of “tricks” for employers and “treats” for employees and the plaintiff’s bar who represent them.
Get Ready for Maryland’s New Employment Laws Going into Effect October 1
New Maryland laws governing the workplace will take effect on October 1, 2019.
Maryland Approves Minimum Wage Increase to $15 an Hour
Maryland has become the sixth state in the nation to adopt a minimum wage of $15.00 per hour. The state’s Democratic-controlled legislature overrode Republican Governor Larry Hogan’s veto on March 28, 2019. The current minimum wage in Maryland is $10.10 per hour.
Maryland Raises Minimum Wage
Maryland joined the parade of states raising the minimum wage to the magic number of $15 per hour when the state legislature voted to override the veto of Governor Larry Hogan on March 28, 2019. The minimum wage for employers with 15 or more employees will increase annually commencing January 1, 2020 until it reaches the $15 per hour level on January 1, 2025. The minimum wage for smaller employers will increase annually at a slower pace, and reach $15 on July 1, 2026. The initial increase for all employers effective January 1, 2020 raises the minimum wage to $11 per hour from the current $10.10.
Maryland General Assembly Approves Minimum Wage Increase
The minimum wage in Maryland is increasing from $10.10 to $15 per hour. The Maryland General Assembly approved legislation for the raise.
Minimum Wage in Maryland Is Increasing to $15 by 2025
The minimum wage in Maryland is increasing from $10.10 to $15 per hour, approved by the Maryland House of Delegates.
Marijuana in Maryland
Joe Tarpine, a Baltimore partner in Goldberg Segalla’s Workers’ Compensation Practice Group, discusses Maryland’s approach to medical and recreational marijuana. Joe addresses how federal marijuana laws are creating conflict and uncertainty. He also covers Maryland’s medical marijuana regulations and what insurance carriers should consider when handling claims that involve medical
Maryland Employers, Are You Ready? New Sexual Harassment Law Takes Effect October 1
Maryland’s “Disclosing Sexual Harassment in the Workplace Act of 2018” takes effect on October 1, 2018. The Act prohibits certain waivers related to an employee’s future sexual harassment claims and future retaliation claims for making a sexual harassment claim. It also requires employers with at least 50 employees to complete a survey disclosing the number of sexual harassment settlements in which the employer has entered.
Mandatory Sick Leave Trend Gains Steam as Maryland Joins the Fold
The Maryland Healthy Working Families Act — which establishes mandatory sick leave in Maryland — takes effect on February 11, 2018. Although the act had been vetoed by Governor Hogan in 2017, the Maryland Senate and House of Delegates successfully voted to override the veto earlier this year.