Maryland legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Maryland SB28: Arbitration Reform for State Employees Act of 2026
Status: Signed into law, April 28, 2026
Altering the collective bargaining process for certain State employees, including by requiring the selection of a neutral arbitrator to oversee certain aspects of collective bargaining, establishing a process of arbitration in the event of impasse in negotiations between certain parties; requiring that each budget bill submitted by the Governor contain the appropriations necessary to implement all terms and conditions of employment in certain memoranda of understanding for the next ensuing fiscal year; etc.
What the bill says
An act concerning Arbitration Reform for State Employees Act of 2026 FOR the purpose of altering the collective bargaining process for certain State employees, including by requiring the selection of a neutral arbitrator to oversee all certain aspects of collective bargaining, establishing a process of arbitration in the event of impasse in negotiations between certain parties, and providing that certain decisions of a neutral arbitrator are advisory; altering the matters that are required to be included in collective bargaining…
From the enrolled text, May 5, 2026:
AN ACT concerning Arbitration Reform for State Employees Act of 2026 FOR the purpose of altering the collective bargaining process for certain State employees, including by requiring the selection of a neutral arbitrator to oversee all certain aspects of collective bargaining, establishing a process of arbitration in the event of impasse in negotiations between certain parties, and providing that certain decisions of a neutral arbitrator are advisory; altering the matters that are required to be included in collective bargaining; requiring that each budget bill submitted by the Governor contain the appropriations necessary to implement all terms and conditions of employment in certain memoranda of understanding for the next ensuing fiscal year; and generally relating to collective bargaining for State employees. BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, Article - State Finance and Procurement Section 7-108 Annotated Code of Maryland (2021 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, Article - State Personnel and Pensions Section 3-103, 3-501, 3-502, and 3-603 Annotated Code of Maryland (2024 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) BY adding to Article - State Personnel and Pensions Section 3-503 Annotated Code of Maryland (2024 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) BY proposing an amendment to the Maryland Constitution Article III - Legislative Department Section 52 SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, That …