Bill > HB1524

This bill requires employers with 15 or more employees, or governmental units, to provide their full-time and part-time employees who are parents with at least 20 hours of paid leave annually to attend school functions at their child's public or nonpublic elementary or secondary school. A "parent" is broadly defined to include adoptive, biological, or foster parents, stepparents, legal guardians, or anyone acting in loco parentis, and a "child" includes adopted, biological, or foster children, stepchildren, or legal wards. This leave can be used in increments of no more than 2 hours per month, and employees must provide proof of the school function within 48 hours of its occurrence. The pay rate for this leave must be the employee's normal rate, and employers cannot force employees to use other types of leave like sick or vacation time for these school functions. The bill also states that if a collective bargaining agreement or employer policy already offers equivalent or greater leave benefits, those provisions will take precedence, and the Commissioner of Labor and Employment will issue orders to compel compliance if violations are found. This law is set to take effect on October 1, 2026.

Government Affairs

https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/HB1524?ys=2026RS