Bill Positions

Bill Number: HB 1320

Bill Title: Courts - Jury Service - Employer Compensation

Bill Sponsor(s): Del. Glenn, et al.

Subject: Workplace Regulations

Committee: JUD

Bill Summary: This bill would have mandated that an employer pay an employee their normal compensation, less any government per diem, when the employee is called to jury service.

History: This bill received an UNF report by the House Judiciary Committee.

Chamber Position: Oppose

Position Summary: This provision would have imposed a meaningful impact on businesses, and many small businesses could have experienced a significant increase in expenditures. Any financial hardship caused by jury service is the result of the government’s action, not that of the employer. Therefore, state and local governments have an obligation to pay meaningful per diem allowances for jury service. While some employers mitigate the financial impact of jury service by continuing employee compensation, this is an important compensation policy that should be determined by the employer. It is not appropriate for the General Assembly to again send the bill to employers for a state policy decision. For these reasons, the Maryland Chamber opposed this bill.

Position Statement: To view the Chamber's complete position statement, click here (pdf).

Chamber Staff: Allyson Black

General Assembly: Click here to view the bill on the Maryland General Assembly's website.