Bill > HB921

This bill establishes a new type of paid leave for state employees called "colleague bereavement leave" in cases where a coworker dies on the job and the employee works in close proximity to the deceased colleague. Specifically, the bill allows employees in the executive, judicial, and legislative branches of state government (including those in units with independent personnel systems) to use up to 5 days of paid leave immediately following the death of a colleague from the same agency, but only if the colleague died while working and the employee was physically near them. Employees must notify their appointing authority before taking this leave, and the appointing authority cannot require the employee to use any other type of paid leave instead. The bill applies to all employees, including temporary workers, and requires the Secretary to develop regulations governing the implementation of colleague bereavement leave. The provisions of this bill will take effect on October 1, 2025, providing state employees with a specific type of paid leave to cope with the loss of a close workplace colleague who dies on the job.

Budget and Finance

https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/HB0921?ys=2025RS