Bill > SB831

This bill, effective June 1, 2026, significantly revises Maryland's labor laws by increasing penalties for child labor violations, establishing new protections for private sector employees regarding labor relations, and setting standards for state employees. Specifically, it allows the Commissioner of Labor and Industry to assess substantial civil penalties, up to $72,876 per violation for willful or repeated child labor offenses, with these penalties to be adjusted annually for inflation. The bill also prohibits employers from forming certain workplace organizations that are employer-initiated, allow unilateral dissolution by the employer, and are exempt from federal labor laws, while clarifying that legitimate labor organizations protected by the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) are still permitted. Furthermore, it empowers private employees to petition the Public Employee Relations Board (PERB) to resolve labor disputes if the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), the federal agency overseeing private sector labor relations, is unable to act due to lack of quorum, legal challenges, or significant processing delays, thereby ensuring that private employees can still exercise their rights to organize and bargain collectively. Finally, the bill prohibits Executive Branch units of the state government from seeking waivers from the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), a law that sets minimum wage, overtime pay, and other labor standards.

Budget and Finance

https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/SB0831?ys=2026RS