MD SB831

Civil penalties established for child labor violations: up to $16,035 per violation (increasing to inflation-adjusted amounts after July 15, 2027), and up to $72,876 per violation for willful or repeated employment of minors in prohibited occupations

Employers prohibited from allowing formation of workplace organizations that are exempt from the National Labor Relations Act through federal action occurring on or after January 1, 2026, targeting employer-initiated entities that can be unilaterally dissolved by the employer

Private employees may petition Maryland's Public Employee Relations Board to protect collective bargaining rights if NLRA coverage is lost through repeal, narrowing, or if the NLRB lacks a quorum, loses independence, or experiences significant processing delays (6-12 months depending on case type)

The Board may conduct elections, certify exclusive bargaining representatives, decide unfair labor practice cases, order binding arbitration after 6 months without agreement, and assess civil penalties up to $1,000 per affected employee

Executive Branch agencies prohibited from applying to the federal government for waivers of any Fair Labor Standards Act provisions, even if otherwise authorized under federal law