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MarylandHB 05322026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Employment Standards - Firefighters - Payment of Wages and Payroll Information

Sponsored By: Jared Solomon (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

Private Sector Labor and IndustryCounties -see also- Chartered Counties; Code Counties; etc.Fire ProtectionMunicipal Corporations -see also- Annap; BaltRecords -see also- Land Records; Vital RecordsSalaries and Compensation -see also- Overtime; Reimb. RatesStandards and Best PracticesTimeWork, Labor, and Employment -see also- JobTrn; Leave; etc.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Clearer pay records and firefighter wage remedies

Beginning October 1, 2028, Maryland counties and municipalities must give firefighters their pay rate, pay schedule, and overtime rate. They must provide this information at hire and whenever pay rates change. Each pay period, they must also provide hours worked, gross pay, and deductions. Missing pay information or wages lets firefighters or their exclusive representative file a grievance through existing procedures or union agreements. Unless wages were withheld because of a genuine dispute, firefighters are entitled to unpaid wages and damages. Damages rise by 30% of the affected wages each qualifying pay period, up to three times those wages. They continue until the missing wages and damages are paid. Filing within a pay period’s first three business days starts damages the following regular pay period. Later filing starts damages in the second regular pay period after the underpaid period. Damages cannot start until at least one regular pay period has passed since the underpayment. The law applies only going forward and does not affect union agreements in effect before October 1, 2028.

New overtime rules for government firefighters

Beginning October 1, 2028, Maryland government employers must calculate firefighter overtime for each hour over 168 in a 28-day period. They must count all regularly scheduled hours, but need not count earned or accrued leave above 42 hours per week. Employers also comply by paying overtime based on an average of no more than 42 hours weekly over 7–28 days. Another exception covers firefighter positions under a union agreement defining a shift as 42 hours per week. The law applies only going forward and does not affect union agreements in effect before October 1, 2028.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Jared Solomon

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 153 • No: 8

Senate vote • 4/9/2026

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 34 • No: 0

House vote • 3/21/2026

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 119 • No: 8 • Other: 8

Actions Timeline

  1. Approved by the Governor - Chapter 182

    4/28/2026

  2. Returned Passed

    4/10/2026House

  3. Third Reading Passed (34-0)

    4/9/2026Senate

  4. Second Reading Passed

    4/8/2026Senate

  5. Favorable Adopted

    4/8/2026Senate

  6. Favorable Report by Finance

    4/8/2026Senate

  7. Referred Finance

    3/23/2026Senate

  8. Third Reading Passed (119-8)

    3/21/2026House

  9. Second Reading Passed with Amendments

    3/20/2026House

  10. Favorable with Amendments {523723/1 Adopted

    3/20/2026House

  11. Favorable with Amendments Report by Government, Labor, and Elections

    3/20/2026House

  12. Hearing 2/19 at 1:00 p.m.

    2/9/2026House

  13. First Reading Government, Labor, and Elections

    1/27/2026House

Bill Text

  • Enacted

    4/28/2026

    PDF

  • Third Reading

    3/20/2026

    PDF

  • First Reading

    1/27/2026

    PDF

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