MD SB143

Contractors and subcontractors on public works projects must employ 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

The Secretary of Labor must annually set the applicable percentage for each calendar year beginning December 31, 2027, and may adjust it to meet apprentice supervision ratio requirements

Requirements apply only to contractors and subcontractors employing four or more workers on covered projects subject to prevailing wage laws, extending coverage to University System of Maryland and Baltimore City Community College

Eliminates the previous option for contractors to make payments to apprenticeship programs in lieu of employing apprentices, now requiring direct employment of qualified apprentices or payments to the State Apprenticeship Training Fund

Non-compliant contractors face penalties of twice the unpaid apprenticeship training contributions plus $100 per labor hour, with up to $1,000 civil penalties per employee for willful falsification of records, recoverable under the Maryland False Claims Act