Bill > HB266

This bill makes several modifications to the Maryland Public Employee Relations Act. It allows exclusive representatives (labor unions) to meet with new employees via video technology without requiring specific public health concerns, removes the requirement for specifically designated deputy directors for different labor sectors, and instead allows the Public Employee Relations Board to appoint up to three deputy directors. The bill mandates that these deputy directors must be attorneys who are licensed in the state or will become licensed within 12 months. The legislation also streamlines the process for investigating unfair labor practice charges by removing references to "appropriate" deputy directors and establishing more specific timelines for investigating and resolving such charges. Additionally, the bill modifies rules around employee organization membership dues deductions, now allowing deductions to cease if the employee organization is no longer the exclusive representative of a bargaining unit. For union representation elections, the bill provides more flexible voting methods, including mail and electronic voting, and requires at least 10 days of voting for mail or electronic elections. The bill will take effect on October 1, 2025, providing ample time for implementation.

Budget and Finance

Appropriations (H)

https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/HB0266?ys=2025RS