Bill > SB445

This bill requires governmental units that employ firefighters to calculate overtime pay for any hours worked beyond 168 hours within a 28-day period, a change from the previous standard of 40 hours per week. It also mandates that counties and municipalities provide firefighters with specific payroll information, including their pay rate, regular pay periods, overtime rate, hours worked, gross earnings, and any deductions for each pay period. If this payroll information is not provided or if wages are due but not paid, a firefighter or their union, referred to as the "exclusive representative," can initiate a grievance process. If a grievance is filed and the issue is not due to a legitimate dispute, the firefighter is entitled to wages and damages, which can increase by 30% per pay period until the issue is resolved, with a cap of three times the amount of wages or information owed. The bill also clarifies that overtime calculations for firefighters can be averaged over a period of 7 to 28 days, with a maximum of 42 hours per week, and allows for collective bargaining agreements to define a shift as 42 hours per week. This legislation is intended to apply prospectively and will take effect on October 1, 2026, and will not affect collective bargaining agreements in place before that date.

Budget and Finance

https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/SB0445?ys=2026RS