MD HB1476

Employers are prohibited from disclosing or threatening to disclose an employee's immigration status to any public body (federal, state, or local government) for the purpose of concealing the employer's violations of Maryland labor, benefit, or tax laws

Protected laws include the Maryland Wage and Hour Law, Wage Payment and Collection Law, Healthy Working Families Act, Unemployment Insurance Law, Family and Medical Leave Insurance Program, Workers' Compensation Act, and various tax and procurement statutes

The Commissioner of Labor and Industry may investigate violations on their own initiative or upon receipt of a written complaint, with 90 days to investigate and attempt resolution through mediation

Civil penalties for violations are up to $1,000 for a first offense, up to $5,000 for a second offense, and up to $10,000 for third or subsequent offenses, with penalty amounts based on factors including violation history, seriousness, good faith, and business size

Employers have 15 days after receiving a penalty notice to request an administrative hearing; the act takes effect October 1, 2025