Bill > SB58

This bill establishes the Parental School Engagement Leave Act, which requires employers with at least 50 employees to provide workers who have been employed for 6 consecutive months and work at least half-time with 12 hours of paid leave per school year to attend school meetings or conferences for their children. The leave applies to biological, adopted, foster, step, and legal ward children enrolled in elementary or secondary schools in Maryland or neighboring states. Employees must request leave at least 4 calendar days in advance for foreseeable meetings, or as soon as practicable for unforeseeable events. The leave must be paid at the employee's regular rate and is separate from other leave benefits; employers cannot require employees to exhaust other leave first. Employers can deny leave requests if they would disrupt operations or cause more than 5% of the workforce to be absent simultaneously. Employees must obtain documentation from the school administrator and submit it to their employer within 2 business days after the meeting. The bill allows the State Superintendent of Schools and the Commissioner to develop a model documentation form and mandates notification to schools, parents, and employers about the new requirements. Employers who fail to comply may be assessed a civil penalty of up to $100 per employee, and the law will take effect on October 1, 2025.

Budget and Finance

https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/SB0058?ys=2025RS