Bill > HB1509

This bill establishes comprehensive collective bargaining rights for local government employees in Maryland by creating a new legal framework that allows public local employees to form, join, and participate in employee organizations to negotiate wages, hours, and working conditions. The legislation applies to county and municipal government employees, with specific definitions and protections for different types of employees, including provisions that distinguish between management, supervisory, and non-supervisory employees. Key provisions include creating an impasse resolution process that involves binding arbitration, where an arbitrator can issue a final decision considering factors like comparable wages in surrounding jurisdictions and the employer's ability to pay. The bill allows local governments to adopt their own labor relations laws, but these cannot restrict the rights provided to employees. Notably, the implementation is phased, with most provisions not taking effect until July 1, 2026, to allow local governments time to prepare and resolve existing collective bargaining relationships. The legislation also expands the Public Employee Relations Board's jurisdiction to include local government labor relations, adding a new deputy director specifically responsible for this area and requiring annual publication of collective bargaining documents.

Budget and Finance, Government Affairs

https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/HB1509?ys=2025RS