Countdown to Sine Die 2025
Fourteen Days Until Sine Die – Let’s Finish Strong!
As we approach the final stretch of the legislative session, we want to update you on the work the Maryland State and DC AFL-CIO has been doing to advance the interests of unions across the state. It’s been a busy session, with over a thousand bills introduced in each chamber. We've carefully reviewed, evaluated, and advocated for the bills that matter most to our affiliates and their members.
Last week was Crossover and today we have just14 days left to push our key bills over the finish line. With around 30 bills still in play, it’s time for all hands on deck. We need everyone to engage and apply pressure to ensure these critical bills make it through both chambers before the session ends.
Below are the bills we still have left.
Collective Bargaining
SB 750 - State Personnel - Collective Bargaining - Part-Time Faculty
It is past time Maryland granted these educators the right to negotiate the terms of their employment and exercise their right to form and join a union. This bill passed the Senate as amended to only apply to certain part-time faculty and has a hearing scheduled in the House Appropriations Committee on 3/26. HB 661 did not move.
HB 159 - Arbitration Reform for State Employees Act of 2025
Adding binding arbitration when reaching an impasse motivates both parties to bargain in good faith. Amended to exclude USM and higher education institutions passed the House and is in the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee awaiting a hearing. SB288 did not move.
HB 211 - State Personnel - Collective Bargaining - Graduate Assistants
Graduate workers teach, assist with research, and alleviate administrative work, all essential to the success of the universities. They deserve collective bargaining rights like thousands of their peers. Passed the House amended and in the Senate Finance awaiting a hearing. SB 166 did not move.
SB 976 - Collective Bargaining - Local Government Employees and Public Employee Relations Act
Collective Bargaining is an important tool for workers and the ultimate expression of our First Amendment Rights by giving employees a voice and a seat at the table when advocating for better wages, benefits, and working conditions. SB 976 and HB 1509 have not been moved by their respective committees.
SB 373/HB 599 - State Personnel - BWI Airport Fire and Rescue Department - Collective Bargaining and Arbitration Processes
SB 373 passed the Senate and has a hearing in the House Appropriations Committee on 3/25. HB 599 passed the House amended to require that each budget bill include appropriations necessary to implement the agreement. This bill is awaiting a hearing in the Senate Finance Committee.
Legislation - SB0373, Legislation - HB0599
SB 231 - State Government - Public Employee Relations Act - Alterations
Modifies the Public Employee Relations Act to eliminate language pertaining to video conferences and allows for three Deputy Directors to serve on the Public Employees Relations Board (PERB). Passed the Senate as amended to remove language regarding dues deductions. Has a hearing scheduled in the House Appropriations Committee on 3/26.
HB 385 - Consumer Protection - Automatic Tip Prompt Screen - Requirements
Consumers deserve transparency and should be confident that their tips are going to who they were intended for, while workers should not have to worry that their earned compensation is going somewhere else through misleading tip screens or service fees on point-of-sale systems. Passed the House as amended and had a hearing in the Senate Finance Committee on 3/19.
Worker Rights and Protections
HB 205 - Employment Standards - Firefighters - Payment of Wages and Payroll Information
Firefighters routinely place their lives on the line every day; fair and transparent compensation is a small step in recognizing the profound work that these individuals do. Passed the House and is awaiting a hearing in the Senate Finance Committee.
HB 1424 - Catastrophic Event Account, Federal Government Shutdown Employee Assistance Loan Fund, and Powers of the Attorney General - Alterations (Protect Our Federal Workers Act)
A significant portion of our state’s federal workers are at risk of losing their job or have already lost their jobs—we must take action to protect and support them. Passed the House as amended to expand the Attorney General’s authority and increase the appropriation in the budget for the Attorney General. Awaiting a hearing in the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee.
HB 233 - Labor and Employment - Mandatory Meetings on Religious or Political Matters - Employee Attendance and Participation (Maryland Worker Freedom Act)
Prohibiting captive audience meetings creates a fair workplace where employees are free to form and hold their own opinions without fear of intimidation or retaliation. Passed the House and in the Senate Finance Committee awaiting a hearing. SB 576 did not move.
HB 956 - Consumer Protection - Workgroup on Artificial Intelligence Implementation
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a fast-evolving technology that will impact all aspects of our lives—creating a workgroup to study the implementation is crucial so we have a deeper understanding of the benefits and risks. The State-Federation is working on amendments to ensure that the voices of workers and key stakeholders are included. Passed the House and had a hearing in the Senate Finance Committee on 3/20.
HB 795 - Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program - Employee Certification and Awareness Materials
This bill makes the Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program more accessible and supports the financial well-being of our dedicated public servants. Passed the House and had a hearing in the Senate Finance Committee on 3/19.
SB 752 - Unemployment Modernization Act of 2025
At a time of great uncertainty where there is a continuous rapid rise in the cost of living, modernizing our unemployment insurance system is critical to stabilize our economy and ensure that support is available for workers when they need it most. These bills did not move in their respective chambers.
Legislation - SB0752, Legislation - HB0554
Worker Safety and Health
HB 176/SB 26 - Davis Martinez Public Employee Safety and Health Act
Public employees play a crucial role in delivering essential services to Marylanders while facing risks to their health and safety every day—we must create safe and supportive workplace environments rather than wait until after a tragic loss. Both bills passed out of their respective chambers with hearings scheduled; HB 176 in the Senate Finance Committee on 3/25 and SB 26 in the House Appropriations Committee on 3/26. HB 176 was amended to require body-worn cameras by correctional officers.
Legislation - HB0176, Legislation - SB0026
HB 1144 - State Public Transit Service and Stations - Exclusion for Assault and Bodily Injury
Transit workers uphold the system that many Marylanders rely on and are the face of our transportation system—they deserve the respect and protections they are owed. Passed the House as amended to prohibit individuals from entering a State public transit station and also requires the Maryland Transit Administration to create and implement a rider code of conduct. A hearing has been scheduled in the Senate Finance Committee on 3/27.
SB 849 - Professional and Volunteer Firefighter Innovative Cancer Screening Technologies Program - Funding
Dedicating adequate funding for essential resources to detect cancer early and better prevent it from impacting suppliers and values the lives of firefighters who give back to our communities. Passed the Senate as amended to allocate funds to research centers including USM. Hearing scheduled in the House Environment and Transportation Committee on 3/27.
HB 459/SB 374 - Counties - Cancer Screening for Professional Firefighters - Required Coverage (James “Jimmy” Malone Act)
One of the leading causes of firefighter line-of-duty deaths is occupational cancer; firefighters dedicate their lives to protecting our communities and should not have to choose between their health and financial stability. Passed the House and Senate amended to require counties to provide coverage. HB 459 is in the Senate Finance Committee awaiting a hearing and SB 374 is in the House Health and Government Operations Committee and has a hearing scheduled for 3/27.
Legislation - HB0459, Legislation - SB0374
Demanding Strong Labor Standards
HB 500 - Procurement Reform Act of 2025
An effective procurement process must include protections for workers and hold businesses accountable to strong labor standards. The State-Federation has worked closely with the Governor’s office on amendments to require the Commissioner to maintain and publish a list of good labor practice businesses and encourage businesses to directly employ workers as W-2 employees. Passed the House as amended and is awaiting a hearing in the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee.
SB 431 - Registered Apprenticeships for a Stronger Economy (RAISE) Act
Our labor movement has world-class apprenticeship programs in various sectors and expects Maryland to maintain the integrity of apprenticeship programs to provide paid workforce training resulting in successful outcomes for the apprentice to enter a high-road middle class career. The State-Federation has worked closely with the Governor’s office on amendments. This bill passed the Senate as amended to eliminate exam waivers, require specific reporting criteria, create the Registered Apprenticeship Development Advisory Board, and strengthen retention of apprentices. There is a hearing scheduled in the House Economic Matters Committee on 3/25. HB 501 did not move.
HB 861 - Transportation Network Companies - Weekly Fare and Earnings Summary and Operator Data Reporting
Given that a majority of transportation network operators are independent contractors, pay transparency is essential in the workplace in a growing gig economy. Passed the House as amended to change itemized receipts to weekly fare and earnings summaries. Awaiting a hearing in the Senate Finance Committee.
HB 850 - Workgroup on the Creation of a Data Dashboard for Public Work Contracts and Apprentices - Establishment
As the state takes action to expand apprenticeships, we must ensure that we have reliable benchmarks to track progress, outcomes, and participation. Originally, the bill created two dashboards to track data; as amended, the bill establishes a workgroup with Building Trades representation. Hearing scheduled in the Senate Finance Committee on 3/25.
Education
HB 504 - Excellence in Maryland Public Schools Act
Alters the Blueprint for Maryland’s funding commitments and changes certain programs. Passed the House as amended and is awaiting a hearing in the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee.
SB 62 - Task Force on Education Funding and Student Population Growth
Establishes a task force on education funding and student population growth to analyze the complex issue of delays in student enrollment counts and student population growth. Passed the Senate and has a hearing scheduled in the House Appropriations Committee on 3/25.
SB 451- Adult Education - High School Diploma by Examination - Requirements and Study
Removing language barriers to the General Education Development (GED) certification will empower more indices to complete their education, contribute to our workforce and support their families. Passed the Senate as amended to allow individuals to take the exam in English or Spanish. Had a hearing in the House Ways and Means Committee on 3/19.
Healthcare
HB 905 - Hospitals - Clinical Staffing Committees and Plans - Establishment (Safe Staffing Act of 2025)
A flexible, collaborative, and patient/worker centered approach to hospital staffing is essential to the future of our healthcare industry and prioritizing the needs and well-being of patients and our dedicated workforce. Passed the House as amended and awaiting a hearing in the Senate Finance Committee.
HB 19 - Health Occupations - Nursing - Loan Repayment, Education, and Sunset Extension (Building Opportunities for Nurses Act of 2025)
Investing in the training and development of nurses and nursing support staff eases financial burdens and supports the next generation of healthcare professionals, while tackling our state’s severe healthcare workforce shortage. Passed the House as amended to expand the Maryland Loan Assistance Repayment Program to nursing support staff, and alters tax credit criteria. Awaiting a hearing in the Senate Finance Committee.
HB 1020 - Consumer Protection - Credit Reporting - Medical Debt (Fair Medical Debt Reporting Act)
Medical debt can wreak havoc on credit reports and scores, providing obstacles in applying for loans, housing and jobs, and threatening financial security; individuals should not face long-term financial consequences for seeking necessary medical treatment. Passed the House as amended and awaiting a hearing in the Senate Finance Committee.
SB 981 - Hospitals - Financial Assistance and Collection of Debts - Policies
Expanding financial assistance eligibility and requiring clear and consistent hospital policies supports consumers and healthcare workers alike from incurring crippling debt that often hinders their ability to obtain housing, education, and financial stability. Passed the Senate as amended and had a hearing in the House Health and Government Operations Committee on 3/19.
HB 933 - Nursing Homes - Cost Reports (crossed over as amended)
Enhancing transparency and accountability within nursing homes is not just about fairness but also about preventing abuse and neglect. Passed the House as amended to require the Maryland Department of Health to review cost reports to ensure that nursing home funds are allocated to nursing care services and salaries and wages of all direct care nonadministrative staff. Awaiting a hearing in the Senate Finance Committee.
HB 783 - Health Occupations - Implicit Bias and Structural Racism Training
Acknowledging and addressing systemic inequalities in the healthcare field is essential to improving patient outcomes, especially for communities who have long-experienced discrimination in healthcare settings. Passed House as amended to include implicit bias training, and allow for continuing education credits. Awaiting a hearing in the Senate Finance Committee.
Oversight & others
HB 80 - Land Use - Transit-Oriented Development - Alterations
Authorizes the Department of Transportation to establish transit-oriented development (TOD) corridor funds to collect revenues from county special taxing districts to support project financing activities. Passed the House as amended and awaiting a hearing in the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee.
SB 105 - SB 105 - Green and Renewable Energy for Nonprofit Organizations Loan Program and Fund
Provides financial assistance to nonprofit organizations for the planning, purchase, and installation of qualifying energy systems, ensuring that loans are being utilized appropriately and upholding the purpose of the program. Passed the Senate as amended to establish the program within the Maryland Clean Energy Center. Awaiting a hearing in the House Economic Matters Committee.
Energy
The General Assembly leadership anticipates combining several energy bills into a “leadership package. We will advocate for the inclusion of strong labor standards and protections that are including in the AACE Act into the package that emerges.
HB 398/SB316 - Abundant Affordable Clean Energy - Procurement and Development (AACE Act) - Legislation
HB 505/SB 434 - Empowering New Energy Resources and Green Initiatives Toward Zero-Emission (ENERGIZE) Maryland Act - Legislation
HB 1035/SB 937 - Public Utilities - Electricity Generation Planning - Procurement, Permitting, and Co-Location (Next Generation Energy Act) - Legislation
HB 827/SB 983 - Solar Energy - Distributed Generation Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity, Ground-Mounted Solar, and Small Solar Siting Workgroup - Legislation