Labor & Employment
Our policy focus on employment law and workplace regulation issues for Maryland
Our focus: Labor & Employment
We seek to maintain a balance in the relationship between employees and employers within the state and work to ensure policies are created that promote fairness and reduce excessive mandates.
Key Issues Include
- Mandatory paid leave
- Paid sick leave insurance
- Pre-emption of local laws on labor issues
- Public accommodation laws
- Noncompete agreements
- Minimum wage
- Predictive and restrictive scheduling
Related Policy Priorities & Anticipated Issues for 2024
- Pre-Emption: We support legislative language allowing for a single law for the state instead of a patchwork among hundreds of jurisdictions.
- Paid Family Leave Benefits: During the 2022 legislative session the Maryland General Assembly passed a paid family leave program inconsistent with many of the best practices and definitions used in other states. During the 2023 session, modifications to definitions and the implementation timeline were made to the legislation. We continue to support legislation bringing Maryland’s FAMLI program in-line with the federal FMLA, bringing us closer to a program that works for both employers and employees. More public outreach and education is necessary to ensure employers and employees are prepared and equipped for the state of the program.
- Cannabis — Adult Use Legalization: During the 2023 legislative session, the adult-use legalization bill was passed and enacted, which went into effect July 1, 2023. We support an employer’s right to maintain their existing testing and workplace policies and oppose any bans on testing or taking employment action as a consequence of test results. The Maryland General Assembly and the state must continue to consider the impacts on employers and Maryland’s workforce while implementing and regulating this policy.
- Fair Employment Practices: We believe the definition of discrimination on the basis of “sex” under Maryland’s Fair Employment Practices Act and the Equal Pay Act should be legislatively interpreted in a manner that is consistent with federal law, which includes “gender identity” and “sexual orientation” within the meaning of “sex” discrimination. This would close a gap in Maryland law that allows discrimination in pay on the basis of sexual orientation.
All 2024 Legislative Priorities & Critical Issues
Get an in-depth look at the pressing issues and legislative priorities we've identified for the 2024 Legislative Session.
Get involved
Join our Labor & Employment Policy Committee
Our Labor & Employment policy committee covers all employment law and workplace regulation issues.
This committee meets every Thursday morning during legislative session at 9:30 a.m. Meetings are held remotely via video conferencing. Outside of session, the committee generally meets once or twice in-person, in the early fall.
Contact governmentaffairs@mdchamber.org for more information.
Sign up for Action Alerts
Every day in Maryland, legislation is introduced that impacts businesses like yours. Without your voice, expertise, and experience at the table, policies can be enacted that hurt your bottom line.
Take action now to influence Maryland's policy landscape. Sign up for the Maryland Chamber's legislative Action Alerts.
Legislative Tracking
Stay up to date with our members-only Bill Tracker during session. Get concise bill summaries, anticipated positions, and more. Our 2024 Bill Tracker will be available soon after the start of the 2024 Legislative Session.
Additional resources
Our resources
- Policy Primer: Maryland’s Paid Family & Medical Leave Insurance Program
- Maryland Human Resource Manual (coming soon!) — Produced in partnership with HR Simple and Shawe Rosenthal LLP
Additional reading
- Maryland Department of Labor FAMLI information — Information regarding Maryland's FAMLI program, contribution rates and more
- Maryland Department of Labor — Labor laws, regulations and programs
- Maryland Workers' Compensation Commission — Information, forms and dispute resolution