Maryland 2025 Regular Session

Maryland House Bill HB824

Introduced

1/29/25

Refer

1/29/25

Report Pass

2/19/25

Caption

Family and Medical Leave Insurance Program - Covered Individuals - Alternatively Qualified Individuals

Impact

If enacted, HB 824 would fundamentally affect the state's labor and employment laws by broadening the pool of individuals eligible for family and medical leave benefits. This change aims to support a wider demographic of caregivers, recognizing the important roles that non-traditional workers play in family care. The requirement for employers to allow up to six weeks of unpaid leave for these individuals adds a layer of responsibility on businesses managing their workforce, potentially influencing workplace policies around leave and employee benefits overall.

Summary

House Bill 824 seeks to expand the Family and Medical Leave Insurance Program in Maryland by accommodating alternatively qualified individuals. These individuals are defined as those who do not meet existing criteria to be deemed a covered employee or self-employed individual yet have earned a minimum of $7,200 in total lifetime wages within the state. The bill amends provisions related to family leave benefits, allowing these alternatively qualified individuals to submit claims to care for or bond with a child under specific circumstances — such as during the first year after a child's birth or during a parental placement through adoption or foster care.

Contention

Debate surrounding this bill may arise regarding its impact on employers, particularly small businesses that might find it challenging to accommodate additional leave requirements. Advocates argue that extending benefits to alternatively qualified individuals is necessary to keep pace with the evolving workforce, while critics could voice concerns over the financial burden on employers and the potential for misuse of the system. As such, the bill may spark discussions on balancing worker protections with the practical realities facing employers in Maryland.

Latest HB824 Activity

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Similar Bills

MD SB225

Family and Medical Leave Insurance Program – Application Year and Participation of Self–Employed Individuals

MD HB102

Family and Medical Leave Insurance Program - Revisions

US SB124

Restore Department of Veterans Affairs Accountability Act of 2025 or the Restore VA Accountability Act of 2025This bill modifies personnel action procedures regarding certain employees and executives of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The bill authorizes the VA to remove from civil service, demote, or suspend VA employees that are supervisors or managers if the VA determines by substantial evidence that the performance or misconduct of such individual warrants such action. This authority does not apply to certain appointees or individuals in their probationary or trial period.Supervisors or managers who are subject to a removal, demotion, or suspension under this bill are entitled to (1) advance notice of the action and supporting evidence, (2) representation by an attorney or representative, and (3) grieve the action in accordance with an internal grievance process.The bill also provides protections from removal, demotion, or suspension for supervisor or managers who are whistleblowers or are seeking corrective action for an alleged prohibited personnel practice such as discrimination.The bill also modifies the procedures to remove, demote, or suspend VA employees or senior executives based on performance or misconduct, specifically by requiring the VA to determine by substantial evidence that the performance or misconduct of the individual warrants such removal, demotion, or suspension. Such procedures must apply retroactively, beginning on the date of enactment of the Department of Veterans Affairs Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act of 2017 (June 23, 2017).