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MD HB864
Bill
Status
Introduced
2/4/2026
Primary Sponsor
Melissa Wells
Click for details
AI Summary
- Requires contractors and subcontractors on public works projects subject to prevailing wage laws to employ enough qualified apprentices or journeyworkers to meet an "applicable percentage" of total labor hours, starting at 20% for projects advertised on or after January 1, 2027
- Eliminates the existing option for contractors and subcontractors to make payments to a registered apprenticeship program in lieu of directly employing apprentices; retains the option to pay into the State Apprenticeship Training Fund as an alternative
- Requires the Secretary of Labor to annually set the applicable percentage by December 31 of each year for the following calendar year, with authority to adjust the percentage to meet apprentice-to-journeyworker supervision ratios
- Extends apprenticeship requirements to the University System of Maryland and Baltimore City Community College, and broadens covered projects from those valued at $500,000 or more to all projects subject to prevailing wage requirements
- Imposes penalties for noncompliance equal to twice the unpaid apprenticeship training contributions plus $100 per labor hour subject to the requirement, and mandates monthly reporting on apprentice and journeyworker utilization to the Department of Labor, with data published on the Department's website
Legislative Description
Public Works Contracts - Apprenticeship Requirements (Maryland Workforce Apprenticeship Utilization Act)
Rules and Regulations
Last Action
Hearing 2/19 at 1:00 p.m.
2/9/2026
Committee Referrals
Government, Labor, and Elections2/4/2026
Full Bill Text
No bill text available