Maryland HB1479: Labor and Employment - Minimum Wage - Increase (Maryland Raise the Wage Act)

What the bill says

A bill ENTITLED AN ACT concerning Labor and Employment - Minimum Wage - Increase (Maryland Raise the Wage Act) FOR the purpose of increasing the State minimum wage rate to a certain amount for certain employers for certain calendar years; increasing, except under certain circumstances, the State minimum wage rate in effect for certain periods of time based on annual growth in a certain consumer price index, as determined by the Commissioner of Labor and Industry; and generally relating to the payment of wages…

From the introduced text, February 13, 2026:

A BILL ENTITLED AN ACT concerning Labor and Employment - Minimum Wage - Increase (Maryland Raise the Wage Act) FOR the purpose of increasing the State minimum wage rate to a certain amount for certain employers for certain calendar years; increasing, except under certain circumstances, the State minimum wage rate in effect for certain periods of time based on annual growth in a certain consumer price index, as determined by the Commissioner of Labor and Industry; and generally relating to the payment of wages. BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, Article - Labor and Employment Section 3-413 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 3-413. (a) (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated. (2) "CONSUMER PRICE INDEX" MEANS THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX FOR ALL URBAN CONSUMERS FOR THE WASHINGTON-ARLINGTON-ALEXANDRIA, DC-VA-MD-WV METROPOLITAN AREA OR A SUCCESSOR METROPOLITAN AREA INDEX PUBLISHED BY THE FEDERAL BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS. EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MATTER ADDED TO EXISTING LAW. [Brackets] indicate matter deleted from exist in g l aw . *hb1479* HOUSE BILL 1479 (3) "Employer" includes a governmental unit. [(3)] (4) "Small employer" means an employer that employs [14] 49 or fewer employees. (b) Except as …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Adrian Boafo (D, 23) · primary sponsor
• Lorig Charkoudian (D, 20)
• Marlon Amprey (D, 40)
• Harry Bhandari (D, 8)
• Diana Fennell (D, HD-047A)
• Andre Johnson (D, HD-034)
• Anne Kaiser (D, HD-014)
• Mary Lehman (D, HD-021)
• Jennifer Terrasa (D, 13)
• Veronica Turner (D, 26)
• Jennifer White Holland (D, HD-010)

Latest actions

1. April 2, 2026: Withdrawn by Sponsor
2. March 9, 2026: Withdrawn by Sponsor
3. March 3, 2026: Hearing canceled
4. February 20, 2026: Hearing 3/05 at 1:00 p.m.
5. February 13, 2026: First Reading Government, Labor, and Elections

Common questions

What is HB1479?

HB1479 is a bill in the Maryland Legislature (2026 Regular Session): Labor and Employment - Minimum Wage - Increase (Maryland Raise the Wage Act).

What does HB1479 do?

In its own words: A bill ENTITLED AN ACT concerning Labor and Employment - Minimum Wage - Increase (Maryland Raise the Wage Act) FOR the purpose of increasing the State minimum wage rate to a certain amount for certain employers for certain calendar years; increasing, except under certain circumstances, the State minimum wage rate in effect for certain periods of time based on annual growth in a certain consumer price index, as determined by the Commissioner of Labor and Industry; and generally relating to the payment of wages…

What is the status of HB1479?

Failed as of April 2, 2026. Latest action: Withdrawn by Sponsor (April 2, 2026).

Who sponsored HB1479?

Adrian Boafo (D, 23), with 10 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for HB1479?

On the Maryland Legislature website: https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/hb1479?ys=2026RS