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MarylandSB 04452026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

Employment Standards - Firefighters - Payment of Wages and Payroll Information

Sponsored By: Benjamin F. Kramer (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.

New overtime rules for government firefighters

Beginning October 1, 2028, Maryland government employers must calculate firefighter overtime for hours worked over 168 in a 28-day period. They must include all regularly scheduled hours. When firefighters use leave during scheduled hours, employers need not count earned or accrued leave beyond 42 hours per week. Employers also comply by paying overtime using an average of no more than 42 hours weekly over 7–28 days. Another exception covers firefighters whose union contract defines a shift as 42 hours per week. The law applies only going forward and does not affect union contracts in effect before October 1, 2028.

New payroll protections for local firefighters

Beginning October 1, 2028, Maryland counties and municipalities must give firefighters pay notices at hiring and whenever their pay rate changes. Notices must list regular pay, overtime pay rates, and regular pay periods. Each pay period, statements must show hours worked, gross earnings, and deductions. Firefighters or their exclusive representatives can file grievances through the applicable grievance process or union contract over missing payroll information or unpaid wages. The remedy includes wages owed and damages, unless there is a genuine dispute. Damages grow by 30% of the related wage amount per qualifying pay period, capped at three times that wage amount. They continue until missing wages and damages are paid. Damages cannot start until at least one regular pay period has passed since wages were missing. Filing within a pay period's first three business days starts damages in the following regular pay period. Filing later starts damages in the second regular pay period after the period when wages were not fully paid. The law applies only going forward and does not affect union contracts in effect before October 1, 2028.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Benjamin F. Kramer

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 166 • No: 8

House vote • 4/8/2026

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 124 • No: 5 • Other: 6

Senate vote • 3/19/2026

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 42 • No: 3

Actions Timeline

  1. Approved by the Governor - Chapter 181

    4/28/2026

  2. Returned Passed

    4/9/2026Senate

  3. Third Reading Passed (124-5)

    4/8/2026House

  4. Favorable Adopted Second Reading Passed

    4/3/2026House

  5. Favorable Report by Government, Labor, and Elections

    4/3/2026House

  6. Referred Government, Labor, and Elections

    3/20/2026House

  7. Third Reading Passed (42-3)

    3/19/2026Senate

  8. Second Reading Passed with Amendments

    3/17/2026Senate

  9. Favorable with Amendments {413020/1 Adopted

    3/17/2026Senate

  10. Favorable with Amendments Report by Finance

    3/16/2026Senate

  11. Hearing 2/18 at 1:00 p.m.

    2/4/2026Senate

  12. First Reading Finance

    2/2/2026Senate

Bill Text

  • Enacted

    4/28/2026

    PDF

  • Third Reading

    3/17/2026

    PDF

  • First Reading

    2/2/2026

    PDF

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