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HB 45

Did not advanceCrossfile SB 417
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Labor and Employment - Mandatory Meetings on Religious or Political Matters - Employee Attendance and Participation (Maryland Worker Freedom Act)

Sponsor: Joe Vogel (District 17)Committee: Government, Labor, and ElectionsSubject: Private Sector Labor and IndustryStatus: First Reading Senate Rules (as of Sep 4, 2026)

What this bill does

Official synopsis

Prohibiting employers and their agents, representatives, and designees from taking certain actions against an employee or applicant for employment because the employee or applicant takes certain actions regarding employer-sponsored meetings during which the employer communicates the opinion of the employer regarding religious matters or political matters; authorizing an employee to file a certain complaint with the Commissioner of Labor and Industry; etc.

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Analysis reads the bill text, the fiscal note, and the witness list. It is generated by Claude and reviewed by nobody, so check the source documents before you rely on it.

Testimony (25)

MGA witness list
FAV 16FavorableFWA 1Favorable with amendmentsUNF 8Unfavorable
PositionWitnessOrganizationTestimony
FAVGobel, ChristianlobbyistAFSCME Maryland Council 3Written (PDF)
FAVJones, NicoleAFSCME Maryland Council 3Oral
FAVWivell, BrianlobbyistATU Local 1300Written (PDF)
FAVClark, TomIBEW 26Written (PDF)
FAVPlante, CeciliaMaryland Legislative CoalitionWritten (PDF)
FAVEdwards, DonnaMaryland State & District of Columbia AFL-CIOOral + Written (PDF)
FAVCook, JessicalobbyistMaryland State Education AssociationWritten (PDF)
FAVCano, ChristopherlobbyistSEIU Local 500Written (PDF)
FAVGoldstein, MathewSecular MarylandWritten (PDF)
FAVMock, KaylalobbyistUFCW 400Oral + Written (PDF)
FAVMcNair, LeeUnitarian Universalist Environmental Justice MinistryPosition only
FAVOMalley, CatherineWomen's Law CenterPosition only
FAVKaplowitz, Richard KAPYearWritten (PDF)
FAVDelegate Vogel, Delegate VogellegislatorIndividualOral
FAVLent, MichaelIndividualPosition only
FAVVogel, JoeIndividualWritten (PDF)
UNFBlum, DannaCarroll County Chamber of CommerceWritten (PDF)
UNFGriffin, AndrewlobbyistHoward County Chamber of CommerceWritten (PDF)
UNFWiggins, GrasonlobbyistMaryland Chamber of CommerceOral + Written (PDF)
UNFRohrer, AmyMaryland Hotel Lodging AssociationWritten (PDF)
UNFMiscimarra, PhilipMaryland Retailers AllianceOral + Written (PDF)
UNFlocklair, caileylobbyistMaryland Retailers AssociationOral + Written (PDF)
UNFThompson, MelvinlobbyistRestaurant Association of MarylandWritten (PDF)
UNFO'Halloran, MikeIndividualWritten (PDF)
FWAAnderson, KarringtonMaryland Association of Counties (MACo)Written (PDF)

Organizations on record

Registered lobbyists who testified

FAVGobel, ChristianAFSCME Maryland Council 3Registered for: AFSCME Council 3
FAVWivell, BrianATU Local 1300Registered for: Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1300
FAVCook, JessicaMaryland State Education AssociationRegistered for: Maryland State Education Association
FAVCano, ChristopherSEIU Local 500Registered for: SEIU Local 500
FAVMock, KaylaUFCW 400Registered for: United Food & Commercial Workers Union Local 400
UNFGriffin, AndrewHoward County Chamber of CommerceRegistered for: Alliance to Prevent Legionnaire's Disease; American Subcontractors Association of Baltimore; Annapolis Maritime Museum & Park; Associated Utility Contractors of Maryland; Experience Prince George's; Howard County Chamber of Commerce
UNFWiggins, GrasonMaryland Chamber of CommerceRegistered for: Maryland Chamber of Commerce; United Way of Central Maryland, Inc.; Madison Marquette Property Investments LLC; Maryland Automobile Insurance Fund; Family Tree, The; OVG Facilities
UNFlocklair, caileyMaryland Retailers AssociationRegistered for: HPSO Investments LLC, T/A Riverboat on the Potomac; Maryland Retailers Alliance; Maryland Retailers Association
UNFThompson, MelvinRestaurant Association of MarylandRegistered for: Restaurant Association of Maryland