The 439th session of Maryland's General Assembly is in the books. Not without some somber news as it's longest serving Speaker of the House, Michael Busch, passed away the day before the end of the session.
Here is a snapshot of business and public safety bills that passed and are awaiting Governor Hogan’s Signature.
- $15 minimum wage-Although the Governor vetoed the bill there were enough votes to override the veto. The increase to $15 will be incremented as follows.
Businesses with fewer than 15 employees:
$11 on Jan. 1, 2020
$11.60 on Jan. 1, 2021
$12.20 on Jan. 1, 2022
$12.80 on Jan. 1, 2023
$13.40 on Jan. 1, 2024
$14.00 on Jan. 1, 2025
$14.60 on Jan. 1, 2026
$15 on July 1, 2026
At least 15 employees:
$11 on Jan. 1, 2020
$11.75 on Jan. 1, 2021
$12.50 on Jan. 1, 2022
$13.25 on Jan. 1, 2023
$14 on Jan. 1, 2024
$15 on Jan. 1, 2025
- A Child Care Tax credit was expanded to parents making less than $143,000 (Up from $50,000)
- Health insurance- Those without health insurance will be able to check a box on their tax return allowing the state’s health exchange to determine if they are eligible for free insurance
- Marijuana edibles such as brownies, gummies, etc. can be sold for medical purposes
- The age of smoking was raised to 21
- Maryland will become the first state to ban Styrofoam containers such as cups and food containers.
- The decision of whether to start school before/after Labor Day was returned to local school boards. The Governor vetoed the bill but was overrode.
- Handgun Permit Review Board was eliminated. Now, appeals to the Maryland State Police decision for handgun permits will be heard by an administrative judge.
Public safety bills that failed were background checks on the private (citizen to citizen) sales of shotguns and rifles and a bill to prevent 3D printed guns.
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