Legislative Developments Archives - Kollman & Saucier P.A.

New Maryland Laws to Take Effect October 1, 2024

Kollman & Saucier

09/17/2024

Some legislation passed during the Maryland General Assembly’s (MGA) most recent session is set to take effect on October 1, 2024. Employers should be aware of a handful of these laws that may impact their business. H.B. 602: Employment Discrimination—Sexual Orientation Last year, the Maryland Supreme Court held, in Doe v. Catholic Relief Services, discrimination “on the basis of sex” did not include sexual orientation under the...

Kollman & Saucier

03/05/2024

Legislative Developments

We are just past halfway through the 2024 session of the Maryland General Assembly. Here are some bills that have the potential to affect your business if they successively make their long journey to Governor Moore’s desk. SB0957/HB1255: Automated Employment Decisions Tools would prohibit the use of “high-risk” screening tools in making employment decisions. The bill defines a “high-risk” took as one whose use is likely to result in...

Kollman & Saucier

09/19/2023

Employment Discrimination, Legislative Developments

Update - On October 7, 2023, Governor Newsom vetoed SB-403. In his veto message, Governor Newsom stated "[b]ecause discrimination based on caste is already prohibited under ... existing [protected class] categories, this bill is unnecessary." On September 5, 2023, the California legislature passed SB-403, sending it to Governor Newsom’s desk for signature. Largely expected to be signed by Gov. Newson, California is set to become the first...

Kollman & Saucier

04/27/2023

Legislative Developments, Restrictive Covenants, State Law, Wage & Hour

The legislature has updated the scheduled increases to the State’s minimum wage. For small employers (those with fewer than 15 employees), the State minimum wage is $12.80 per hour as of January 1, 2023. For employers with 15 or more employees, the State minimum wage is $13.25 per hour as of January 1, 2023. The minimum wage rate will increase to $15 per hour on January 1, 2024 for all employers, regardless of size. The legislature also...

Kollman & Saucier

02/13/2023

Legislative Developments, State Law

The Maryland General Assembly is considering legislation that would make the Free State the first in the nation to give employers tax incentives to give their employees more free time. The proposal would offer employers with 30 or more employees tax incentives if they tested a four-day workweek schedule and allowed the state Department of Labor to research the impact of the change through employee surveys, interviews and "other information...

Kollman & Saucier

11/16/2022

Legislative Developments, Sexual Harassment

On November 16, 2022, the House of Representatives passed a bill that will nullify some nondisclosure agreements (NDAs) signed by employees who assert claims of sexual harassment or assault. The bill, known as The Speak Out Act (S. 4524), passed the Senate unanimously in September. It will now head to President Biden for his signature. In the findings prefacing the bill, Congress wrote, “[n]ondisclosure and nondisparagement provisions in...

Kollman & Saucier

04/29/2022

Legislative Developments, Paid Leave

As Eric Paltell blogged about earlier this month, Maryland is now the 10th state to offer paid family leave to employees. Likely, many other states will follow suit. Below is a Q&A to unpack further what is required by the "Time to Care Act." What Employers Are Covered? Any public or private entity that employs at least one individual in Maryland. Employers may be eligible for an exemption under the Act if they can establish that they...

Kollman & Saucier

04/04/2022

FMLA, Legislative Developments, State Law

On March 31, the Maryland Senate approved the “Time to Care Act,” which will provide paid family leave to employees of businesses with 15 or more employees. The bill now goes to Governor Hogan, where it may be vetoed. However, the General Assembly passed the law with enough time to override a veto, should the Governor choose to do so. The Time to Care Act offers employees 12 weeks of partially paid family leave each year to care for themselves...

Kollman & Saucier

03/24/2022

Legislative Developments, Sexual Harassment

Monday, March 21, 2022, was “crossover day” in the Maryland General Assembly. As a quick Maryland civics lesson, the Maryland General Assembly is comprised of two chambers, the Maryland State Senate and the Maryland House of Delegates. Bills are proposed and debated in both chambers. On crossover day, those bills that have passed by vote in one chamber are crossed over to the other chamber for further debate and vote. Any bills that did...

Kollman & Saucier

03/07/2022

Employment Discrimination, Legislative Developments, State Law

The Maryland Fair Employment Practices Act (FEPA) is the state analog to federal anti-discrimination laws. The law prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, and disability. If an employer is found to have engaged in an unlawful employment practice under FEPA the remedies can include compensatory damages, back pay, injunctive...

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New Maryland Laws to Take Effect October 1, 2024

Legislation from the 2024 Maryland General Assembly that Could Affect Your Business

California is Poised to Become the First State to Ban Caste Discrimination

Maryland Minimum Wage To Increase to $15/Hour On January 1, 2024

Maryland Considering Tax Breaks for Four-Day Workweeks

House Passes The Speak Out Act

A Deeper Dive Into Maryland's New Paid Family Leave Law

Maryland General Assembly Passes Paid FMLA Law

Maryland Senate Bill Changing Definition of Sexual Harassment “Crosses Over” to House of Delegates

Maryland Poised To Increase Damages Caps For Discrimination Claims

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Category: Legislative Developments

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