Maryland Senate Bill SB124

Maryland 2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/8/24
• Introduced: 1/8/25
• Refer: 1/8/24
• Refer: 1/8/25

Caption

Employment Standards - Firefighters - Payment of Wages and Payroll Information

Impact

The implementation of SB124 is set to affect state laws governing the payment structure of firefighters, promoting greater accountability and fairness in wage calculations. This bill aims to protect firefighters' rights and ensure they receive appropriate compensation for hours worked, addressing concerns of wage disputes that may arise from unclear local regulations. By standardizing the calculation of overtime and mandating that payroll information be provided, the bill is likely to enhance employee awareness and enable more informed financial planning for firefighters.

Summary

Senate Bill 124 establishes new requirements for how governmental units that employ firefighters must compute overtime pay and provide payroll information. Specifically, the bill mandates that overtime be calculated based on hours worked beyond a specified threshold, varying for different employment categories. For instance, firefighters will receive overtime pay calculated based on hours worked beyond 168 in a 28-day work period. Additionally, the bill prescribes that all counties and municipalities must ensure transparency in payroll information by delivering detailed statements on wages, hours worked, and deductions to every firefighter employed.

Contention

Notable points of contention surrounding SB124 could revolve around the balance of imposing new requirements on governmental units against the potential for increased administrative burdens and costs. Some local government representatives may express concerns about the feasibility and implications of adhering to the new wage and payroll information regulations. The requirement for governmental units to be more transparent could lead to pushback regarding the operational logistics involved in implementing these changes, especially in counties or municipalities that may already be facing budget constraints.