Bill > HB176

This bill establishes comprehensive new provisions for workplace safety and health in Maryland's public bodies, with a particular focus on preventing workplace violence and improving safety standards. The bill requires the Correctional Training Commission to develop detailed regulations for body-worn cameras by January 1, 2026, including specific guidelines on when recording is mandatory, prohibited, or discretionary, as well as provisions for notification, data storage, and privacy protections. The legislation creates a new Public Employees' Safety and Health Unit within the Division of Labor and Industry to oversee workplace safety for public employees, with expanded powers to inspect workplaces, develop safety programs, and issue citations for safety violations. The bill mandates that public bodies create and maintain workplace violence prevention programs, conduct regular workplace inspections, and provide safer working environments. Additionally, the legislation requires the Commissioner of Labor and Industry to develop comprehensive workplace violence prevention standards by October 1, 2026, which will involve consulting with federal safety organizations, meeting with employee representatives, and holding public input sessions. The bill also introduces new reporting requirements, including an annual public report on safety and health issues in public bodies, and establishes mechanisms for enforcing safety standards and issuing penalties for non-compliance. The new provisions aim to make public sector workplaces safer, more transparent, and more accountable to employee safety concerns.