Legislation - SB0417

Title: Labor and Employment - Mandatory Meetings on Religious or Political Matters - Employee Attendance and Participation (Maryland Worker Freedom Act)
Sponsored by: Senator Lam
Status: In the House - First Reading Government, Labor, and Elections
Analysis: Fiscal and Policy Note

Synopsis

Prohibiting employers and their agents, representatives, and designees from taking certain actions against an employee or applicant for employment because the employee or applicant takes certain actions regarding employer-sponsored meetings during which the employer communicates the opinion of the employer regarding religious matters or political matters; authorizing an employee to file a certain complaint with the Commissioner of Labor and Industry; etc.

Committees

Original:: Finance Click to view Recorded Media

Opposite:: Government, Labor, and Elections

Committee Testimony

Witness List

Details

Cross-filed with: HB0045

Bill File Type: Regular

Effective Date(s): October 1, 2026

History

Legislation History
Chamber Senate Calendar Date 1/29/2026 Legislative Date 1/29/2026 Action First Reading Finance Proceedings
Chamber Calendar Date Legislative Date Action Text - First - Labor and Employment - Mandatory Meetings on Religious or Political Matters - Employee Attendance and Participation (Maryland Worker Freedom Act) Proceedings
Chamber Senate Calendar Date 2/04/2026 Legislative Date 2/04/2026 Action Hearing 2/18 at 1:00 p.m. Proceedings
Chamber Calendar Date Legislative Date Action Vote - Senate - Committee - Finance Proceedings Click to view Recorded Media
Chamber Senate Calendar Date 3/19/2026 Legislative Date 3/19/2026 Action Favorable Report by Finance Proceedings
Chamber Senate Calendar Date 3/19/2026 Legislative Date 3/03/2026 Action Favorable Proceedings 42 Click to view Recorded Media
Chamber Senate Calendar Date 3/19/2026 Legislative Date 3/03/2026 Action Motion Special Order until Next Session (Senator West) Adopted Proceedings 42 Click to view Recorded Media
Chamber Senate Calendar Date 3/20/2026 Legislative Date 3/04/2026 Action Favorable Adopted Proceedings 43 Click to view Recorded Media
Chamber Senate Calendar Date 3/20/2026 Legislative Date 3/04/2026 Action Floor Amendment {743126/1 (Senator Gallion) Proceedings 43 Click to view Recorded Media
Chamber Senate Calendar Date 3/20/2026 Legislative Date 3/04/2026 Action Motion Laid Over (Senator Gallion) Adopted Proceedings 43 Click to view Recorded Media
Chamber Senate Calendar Date 3/20/2026 Legislative Date 3/05/2026 Action Floor Amendment {743126/1 (Senator Gallion) Rejected Proceedings 44 Click to view Recorded Media
Chamber Senate Calendar Date 3/20/2026 Legislative Date 3/05/2026 Action Second Reading Passed Proceedings 44 Click to view Recorded Media
Chamber Calendar Date Legislative Date Action Text - Third - Labor and Employment - Mandatory Meetings on Religious or Political Matters - Employee Attendance and Participation (Maryland Worker Freedom Act) Proceedings
Chamber Senate Calendar Date 3/23/2026 Legislative Date 3/06/2026 Action Third Reading Passed (31-12) Proceedings 45 Click to view Recorded Media
Chamber House Calendar Date 3/23/2026 Legislative Date 3/11/2026 Action Referred Government, Labor, and Elections Proceedings 48 Click to view Recorded Media

Chamber	Calendar Date	Legislative Date	Action	Proceedings
Senate	1/29/2026	1/29/2026	First Reading Finance
			Text - First - Labor and Employment - Mandatory Meetings on Religious or Political Matters - Employee Attendance and Participation (Maryland Worker Freedom Act)
Senate	2/04/2026	2/04/2026	Hearing 2/18 at 1:00 p.m.
			Vote - Senate - Committee - Finance	Click to view Recorded Media
Senate	3/19/2026	3/19/2026	Favorable Report by Finance
Senate	3/19/2026	3/03/2026	Favorable	42 Click to view Recorded Media
Senate	3/19/2026	3/03/2026	Motion Special Order until Next Session (Senator West) Adopted	42 Click to view Recorded Media
Senate	3/20/2026	3/04/2026	Favorable Adopted	43 Click to view Recorded Media
Senate	3/20/2026	3/04/2026	Floor Amendment {743126/1 (Senator Gallion)	43 Click to view Recorded Media
Senate	3/20/2026	3/04/2026	Motion Laid Over (Senator Gallion) Adopted	43 Click to view Recorded Media
Senate	3/20/2026	3/05/2026	Floor Amendment {743126/1 (Senator Gallion) Rejected	44 Click to view Recorded Media
Senate	3/20/2026	3/05/2026	Second Reading Passed	44 Click to view Recorded Media
			Text - Third - Labor and Employment - Mandatory Meetings on Religious or Political Matters - Employee Attendance and Participation (Maryland Worker Freedom Act)
Senate	3/23/2026	3/06/2026	Third Reading Passed (31-12)	45 Click to view Recorded Media
House	3/23/2026	3/11/2026	Referred Government, Labor, and Elections	48 Click to view Recorded Media

File Code

Subjects

Statutes