Maryland House Bill HB377

Maryland 2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/16/25
• Refer: 1/16/25

Caption

Prince George's County - Income Tax - Credit for Employers Providing Parental Engagement Leave PG 409-25

Impact

The implementation of HB 377 is expected to enhance parental involvement in education by financially motivating employers to facilitate their employees' participation in school events. By allowing businesses to claim up to $800 as a tax credit per qualified employee for the hours of leave given, the bill encourages a culture of engagement between parents and educational institutions. This could lead to a stronger partnership between schools and families, ultimately fostering better educational outcomes for students in the county.

Summary

House Bill 377, titled 'Prince George's County - Income Tax - Credit for Employers Providing Parental Engagement Leave,' aims to incentivize employers within Prince George's County to offer parental engagement leave to their employees. The bill proposes a tax credit against state income tax for employers who provide qualified employees with parental engagement leave to attend school-related events. This leave is capped between 10 to 20 hours per qualified employee, ensuring that parental engagement is reinforced while allowing families the flexibility to participate in their children’s education.

Contention

Despite its potential benefits, there are concerns regarding the administrative burden placed on employers to manage and document the leave. Employers must develop policies to provide this leave while ensuring compliance with the requirements of the credit. Moreover, there may be debates around whether the provided hours are sufficient for meaningful engagement in a child's education, especially for parents with multiple children in different educational settings. Critics may argue about the potential disparities in how accessible these benefits are for smaller businesses or those with less flexibility in their work environments.