Maryland’s paid sick leave law is now … well, an actual law.
The last barrier to immediate enactment of the law — known as the Maryland Healthy Working Families Act, or House Bill 1 — came down on Feb. 15 when Maryland’s House Economic Matters Committee voted against a bill that would have delayed implementation of the law until July 1. Supported by the MACPA and numerous other business groups throughout the state, the delay was sought to give businesses some precious additional time to figure out how to comply with the law.
“The 12-11 committee vote was not unexpected,” Maryland Daily Record reporter Bryan Sears writes. “Supporters including Sen. Thomas M. ‘Mac’ Middleton, D-Charles and sponsor of the bill, conceded that members of the House of Delegates had little interest in additional delays on a law that took six years to pass.”
Now, Maryland businesses must provide their employees with paid sick leave. Specifically, businesses with 15 or more employees must provide up to five days of paid sick leave, while businesses with fewer than 15 employees must offer five unpaid sick days to workers.
Fortunately, some resources that offer guidance on how to comply with the law are starting to emerge. Here are a few:
- What’s next? A primer on HB 1 compliance (Maryland Chamber of Commerce)
- Resources from the Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation
- More guidance from the DLLR
Feb. 22 webinar to offer details of law
In addition, MACPA partner SIG will present a webinar from 10 to 11 a.m. ET on Feb. 22 to examine details of the new paid sick leave law. Laura Rubenstein, Esq., will discuss the law and how it will affect Maryland employers. The law will have an impact on every employer in some way, and the webinar will help you understand your obligations.
The webinar will cover:
- The amount of leave required under the law.
- The expanded definitions of employee, employer and family member.
- The permissible uses of leave under the law.
- The law’s rollover requirements.
- The new record-keeping requirements.