Maryland legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Maryland HB1356: Labor and Employment - Civic and Related Activities - Protection (Maryland Employee Civic Activity and Lawful Expression Protection Act)
Status: In committee, February 20, 2026
Authorizing an employer to require an applicant to disclose the applicant's engagement in certain actions only if the disclosure is related to certain job requirements; prohibiting an employer from taking certain adverse action against an employee if the employee engages in certain activity; and providing that adverse action taken against an employee within 120 days after the employee engages in activity protected under the Act creates a rebuttable presumption of retaliation.
What the bill says
A bill ENTITLED AN ACT concerning Labor and Employment - Civic and Related Activities - Protection (Maryland Employee Civic Activity and Lawful Expression Protection Act) FOR the purpose of authorizing an employer to require an applicant to disclose the applicant's engagement in certain actions only if the disclosure is related to specific job requirements; prohibiting an employer from taking certain adverse action against an employee if the employee engages in certain activity; and generally relating to protection for employees for civic activity…
From the introduced text, February 12, 2026:
A BILL ENTITLED AN ACT concerning Labor and Employment - Civic and Related Activities - Protection (Maryland Employee Civic Activity and Lawful Expression Protection Act) FOR the purpose of authorizing an employer to require an applicant to disclose the applicant's engagement in certain actions only if the disclosure is related to specific job requirements; prohibiting an employer from taking certain adverse action against an employee if the employee engages in certain activity; and generally relating to protection for employees for civic activity. BY adding to Article - Labor and Employment Section 3-1901 through 3-1908 to be under the new subtitle "Subtitle 19. Maryland Employee Civic Activity and Lawful Expression Protection Act" Annotated Code of Maryland (2025 Replacement Volume) SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: Article - Labor and Employment SUBTITLE 19. MARYLAND EMPLOYEE CIVIC ACTIVITY AND LAWFUL EXPRESSION PROTECTION ACT. 3-1901. (A) IN THIS SUBTITLE THE FOLLOWING WORDS HAVE THE MEANINGS INDICATED. EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MATTER ADDED TO EXISTING LAW. [Brackets] indicate matter deleted from exist in g l aw . *hb1356* HOUSE BILL 1356 (B) "ADVERSE ACTION" INCLUDES DISCHARGE, DEMOTION, DISCIPLINE, FAILURE TO PROMOTE, REDUCTION OF COMPENSATION, REASSIGNMENT WITH MATERIALLY ADVERSE TERMS, OR ANY OTHER ACTION THAT WOULD DISSUADE A REASONABLE INDIVIDUAL FROM ENGAGING IN ACTIVITY …