New Maryland Laws now in effect
On July 1, a handful of new laws went into effect. The minimum wage has risen while other laws and regulations also have changed.
Maryland’s minimum wage has increased from $8.75 to $9.25 for employees paid by the hour. The law was passed in 2014 with the goal of reaching $10.10 by 2018. The minimum wage prior 2014 was just $7.25. Meanwhile a jobs bill now will give incentives and tax breaks to manufacturing companies who add job opportunities in areas within the state in which unemployment rates are higher than average.
Under the latest changes in state law beer brewers can sell as many as 2,000 barrels of beer yearly as opposed to just 500 prior, the amended law is an effort to help ensure that a Guinness brewery will soon operate and stay located in Baltimore County. The law also allows brewers to buy an additional 1,000 barrels from beer and liquor distributors to sell in taprooms. Breweries that open from now on cannot remain open past 10 p.m. daily while established breweries can keep their own hours as previously.
The state comptroller has been given more power and will be allowed to protect tax payers’ information and investigate tax fraud. The enforcement division of the Comptroller now has the authority to issue warnings against tax preparers suspected of criminal and fraudulent activity. State Comptroller Peter Franchot made the reform efforts after discovering a high rate of disputable returns and the suspension of returns submitted by 20 different tax preparers.
Changes have been made to ethics laws as well, the amendments to the law now further clarifies what conflict of interest is and the length of time state officials must wait before taking jobs as lobbyists.
The state lawmakers have also implemented governmental action which protects planned parenthood should federal funding be discontinued. The legislation helps to ensure access to nine health centers which provide preventive care services. Two million dollars will be directed form the state’s Medicaid budget as well as another $700,000 from Maryland’s general fund to the program. Over 25,000 residents visit the centers and those in favor of the legislation maintain that women’s access to family planning and healthcare will be protected because of the financial backing. Governor Larry Hogan vetoed the bill however Maryland legislature had enough votes to override the veto.
Schools in Maryland are now required to keep on hand the overdose drug naloxone and staff must also be trained to use it when necessary. Schools are also required to provide education to elementary school students on the nation’s opioid crisis. The preventive education provided to students in the third grade and up will now touch upon the dangers of opioids and heroin in drug awareness programs.
Other changes in the law include the banning of pesticides known to cause harm to bees while the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene will now be called the Maryland Health Department. The state has also approved tax breaks to rescue, emergency, fire and law enforcement workers who are age 55 and older while retired workers first $15,000 of retirement income is exempt from state taxes.