Maryland2026Active
HB0045
Maryland Worker Freedom Act: Rules for Meetings on Religion and Politics
Last scannedAug 22, 2026, 4:24 AM
In one sentence
This law stops employers from punishing workers or job applicants who refuse to attend meetings where the employer shares opinions about religion or politics.
What it does
- Prohibits employers, agents, representatives, or designees from firing, disciplining, threatening, or refusing to hire someone because they declined to attend a meeting discussing religious or political matters.
- Allows employees to file written complaints with the Commissioner of Labor and Industry within 180 days of an alleged violation.
- Authorizes the Commissioner to investigate complaints, attempt informal mediation, and assess civil penalties up to $10,000 for initial violations or $25,000 for subsequent ones.
- Allows the Commissioner to order employers to stop violating the law and provide relief such as reinstatement, back pay with interest, restoration of benefits, compensatory damages, injunctive relief, and attorney's fees.
- Requires employers to post a notice about these rights in common areas where employee notices are usually posted or another conspicuous place.
Who it affects
- Private sector employers who hold meetings on religious or political matters
- Employees and job applicants at covered workplaces
- The Commissioner of Labor and Industry, who handles complaints and creates required notices
Limits and unknowns
- The law does not apply to religious corporations exempt under federal or state civil rights laws.
- It excludes political organizations that require employees to attend meetings communicating their political tenets.
- Educational institutions requiring students or instructors to attend lectures on these topics as part of regular coursework are excluded.
- Nonprofit, tax-exempt training programs requiring classroom instruction or community service related to the program's mission are excluded.
- Employers required by federal or state law (including civil rights and safety laws) to provide specific training are not restricted from doing so.
- Governmental units holding new employee orientations are exempt.
- The law does not prohibit voluntary meetings where attendance is optional.
Plain language
Terms to know
- Political Matters
- Topics relating to elections for political office, political parties, proposals to change legislation or regulations, public policy changes, or the decision to join or support a political party or civic, community, fraternal, or labor organization.
- Religious Matters
- Topics relating to religious belief, affiliation, and practice, or the decision to join and support a religious organization or association.
Official record
Sources
Official summary
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.
Official activity
Bill history
- In the Senate - First Reading Senate Rules