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MarylandHB 01412026 Regular SessionHouse

State Personnel - Collective Bargaining - Graduate Assistants

Sponsored By: Linda Foley (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

State Government - PersonnelEducation - MiscellaneousApprenticeships and InternshipsCollective BargainingHigher Education -see also- Comm Colleges; Med Schools; etc.State EmployeesState Universities and CollegesStudentsTeachersWork, Labor, and Employment -see also- JobTrn; Leave; etc.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.

Graduate assistants gain union rights

Beginning July 1, 2028, graduate assistants at the University of Maryland, College Park and the University of Maryland, Baltimore County can form a union and bargain over pay, hours, and work rules. Each covered public institution sets up a separate bargaining unit that includes all eligible graduate assistants at that campus. You can seek representation and negotiate a written agreement. The law itself does not set pay amounts.

Graduate assistant bargaining starts July 1, 2028

The law sets July 1, 2028 as the start date. Until then, graduate assistants cannot use the new bargaining rights. Earlier drafts listed July 1, 2026, but that date no longer applies.

Who counts as a graduate assistant

Starting July 1, 2028, a “graduate assistant” means a graduate student at the University of Maryland, College Park or the University of Maryland, Baltimore County who works as a teaching, research, or administrative assistant, holds a similar role, is a fellow, or is a postdoctoral intern. This definition decides who can join the graduate assistant bargaining unit and use union rights under state law. It does not by itself change pay or benefits.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Linda Foley

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 254 • No: 91

Senate vote • 4/13/2026

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 32 • No: 11 • Other: 4

House vote • 4/13/2026

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 95 • No: 35 • Other: 10

Senate vote • 4/9/2026

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 29 • No: 11 • Other: 4

House vote • 3/18/2026

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 98 • No: 34 • Other: 3

Actions Timeline

  1. Approved by the Governor - Chapter 774

    5/26/2026

  2. Passed Enrolled

    4/13/2026House

  3. Third Reading Passed (32-11)

    4/13/2026Senate

  4. Conference Committee Report {153822/1 Adopted

    4/13/2026Senate

  5. Third Reading Passed (95-35)

    4/13/2026House

  6. Conference Committee Report {153822/1 Adopted

    4/13/2026House

  7. Senate Conference Committee Appointed (Senators Kramer, Beidle and Hershey)

    4/13/2026House

  8. Senate Refuses Recede

    4/13/2026House

  9. Senate Conference Committee Appointed (Senators Kramer, Beidle and Hershey)

    4/13/2026Senate

  10. Senate Refuses Recede

    4/13/2026Senate

  11. House Conference Committee Appointed (Delegates Wells, Barnes and Solomon)

    4/13/2026Senate

  12. House Requests Senate Recede

    4/13/2026Senate

  13. House Refuses Concur Senate Amendments

    4/13/2026Senate

  14. House Conference Committee Appointed (Delegates Wells, Barnes and Solomon)

    4/11/2026House

  15. House Requests Senate Recede

    4/11/2026House

  16. House Refuses Concur Senate Amendments

    4/11/2026House

  17. Third Reading Passed (29-11)

    4/9/2026Senate

  18. Second Reading Passed with Amendments

    4/9/2026Senate

  19. Favorable with Amendments {433922/1 Adopted

    4/9/2026Senate

  20. Favorable with Amendments Report by Finance

    4/9/2026Senate

  21. Referred Finance

    3/19/2026Senate

  22. Third Reading Passed (98-34)

    3/18/2026House

  23. Favorable Adopted Second Reading Passed

    3/17/2026House

  24. Favorable Report by Government, Labor, and Elections

    3/16/2026House

  25. Hearing 2/10 at 1:00 p.m. (Government, Labor, and Elections)

    1/28/2026House

Bill Text

  • Enacted

    5/26/2026

    PDF

  • Enrolled

    4/13/2026

    PDF

  • Third Reading

    3/17/2026

    PDF

  • First Reading

    1/14/2026

    PDF

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