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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

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

Pay notices and penalties for firefighters

Beginning 2028-10-01, counties and cities must give firefighters a written notice of base pay, pay periods, and overtime rate at hire and when pay changes. Each pay period, they must give a statement with hours worked, gross pay, and deductions. If pay or required info is missing, you or your union can file a grievance. Unless there is a bona fide dispute, you get the missing wages plus damages. Damages start only after at least one regular pay period has passed. If you file within the first 3 business days of a pay period, damages start the next regular pay period. If you file after the third business day, damages start in the second regular pay period after the unpaid pay period. Damages grow by 30% of the missing wage each pay period and are capped at three times the missing wage.

Overtime rules for local firefighters

Beginning 2028-10-01, counties and cities count overtime for firefighters on each hour over 168 in a 28-day period. The law treats the county or city as your employer for this rule. All regularly scheduled hours count toward the 168 hours. If you use earned or accrued leave, the employer does not have to count more than 42 leave hours per week toward overtime. A county or city is not in violation if it pays overtime using an average of no more than 42 hours per week over a 7–28 day work period, or if a firefighter union contract defines a 42-hour shift.

Existing firefighter union contracts stay in place

The law applies only going forward. It does not change firefighter collective bargaining agreements that were in effect before 2028-10-01. Those agreements keep their terms until they expire or are renegotiated.

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: 12

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

  • Third Reading

    3/17/2026

    PDF

  • First Reading

    2/2/2026

    PDF

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