MD HB1129

Provider agencies reimbursed by Maryland Medicaid must pay personal care aides a minimum wage of $17 per hour and provide written notice of the required wage and the aide's actual pay rate.

Personal care aides must receive at least 24 hours of paid earned sick and safe leave on January 1 each year, or on their first day of employment if hired mid-year.

After working 720 hours in a calendar year, personal care aides earn an additional 1 hour of sick and safe leave per every 30 hours worked.

The Maryland Department of Health may enforce compliance through corrective plans, suspension or termination from the Medicaid program, or other appropriate actions.

The Department must report by October 1, 2026 on steps to ensure 80% of Medicaid personal care payments go to aide compensation and to raise wages to at least $20 per hour; the act takes effect July 1, 2026.