Currently working its way through the Maryland General Assembly is an emergency bill that is aimed at delaying the implementation of the new sick and safe leave law (the Maryland Healthy Working Families Act) until July 1, 2018. On Friday the bill passed through a Senate committee, but now it must still go before the full Senate, then to the House of Delegates, and finally, to the Governor’s desk. The current implementation date is February 11, 2018.
It is our position that employers need to prepare as if the sick and safe leave law will go into effect on February 11. Though the Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing, and Regulation has been charged with developing guidance documents, including a model policy, it is unlikely that these documents will be finalized prior to February 11. Employers need to review their leave policies now to see what steps need to be taken in order to come into compliance with this new law.
Council Baradel’s Employment Law attorneys, Susan Stobbart Shapiro and Steven A. Brown, are available to review your current leave policies for compliance and address any questions you may have regarding this new law.
Ms. Shapiro and Mr. Brown will also be presenting to the Anne Arundel County Chamber of Commerce and answering questions on the MHWFA on February 14, 2018. For more information on the presentation and attendance, click here.
Council Baradel Employment Law Blog 