In a move to strengthen labor rights and provide greater protections for workers, Maryland lawmakers passed a series of new labor laws that will have a significant impact on the state's employment landscape. The new laws, which were signed into effect on July 6, 2025, cover a wide range of issues including paid sick leave, wage theft prevention, and workplace discrimination.One of the key provisions of the new laws is the expansion of Maryland's paid sick leave program. Under the new legislation, all employers with 15 or more employees will be required to provide paid sick leave to their workers. This represents a significant expansion of the previous law, which only applied to employers with 50 or more employees. The new law also increases the amount of paid sick leave that employees can accrue, from 40 hours per year to 56 hours per year.In addition to expanding paid sick leave, the new laws also include measures to combat wage theft. Employers will now be required to provide detailed pay stubs to employees, showing hours worked, wages earned, and any deductions taken. Employers who fail to provide accurate pay stubs could face fines and penalties. The new laws also increase penalties for employers who are found to have engaged in wage theft, including requiring them to pay back wages plus additional damages to affected employees.The new laws also address workplace discrimination, including discrimination based on race, gender, sexual orientation, and other protected characteristics. Under the new legislation, employers will be required to provide training to all employees on how to prevent discrimination in the workplace. Employers who fail to comply with the new training requirements could face fines and other penalties.Overall, the new labor laws are seen as a major victory for workers in Maryland, providing them with greater protections and rights in the workplace. Advocates for the new laws hope that they will help to create a more equitable and fair labor market in the state, where all workers are treated with dignity and respect.