Maryland would ban employers from mandating that workers attend meetings where management opines on politics, religion, or union membership, under legislation heading to Gov. Wes Moore (D) for his signature.
The legislation (SB 417) bars businesses from firing or otherwise penalizing employees or job applicants who refuse to attend “captive audience” meetings covering those topics. Labor advocates say businesses often use the meetings to discourage their employees from forming or joining a union, potentially violating their rights under federal labor law.
The state House passed the Democratic-sponsored bill Wednesday, after it won Senate approval March 23 by a vote of 31-12.
If enacted, the bill would take effect Oct. 1 and put Maryland in the company of at least a dozen states with similar captive audience bans. Business and political advocacy groups have sued to challenge the laws in four states, arguing they violate employers’ First Amendment rights and are preempted by the National Labor Relations Act.
The Maryland measure empowers the state labor commissioner to investigate workers’ complaints of alleged violations. The commissioner could assess penalties of $10,000 for a first violation and $25,000 for subsequent violations, along with other relief such as reinstating a terminated employee.
Alaska, California, Connecticut, Illinois, Maine, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington state have similar laws on the books.
A judge blocked enforcement of California’s law in September, while courts have ruled against the challengers to Connecticut, Illinois, and Minnesota statutes.
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