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Updated: Maryland Senate Overrides Governor's Veto & Approves Paid Sick Leave


Earlier this month, the Maryland Senate voted 30 - 17 to override Republican Governor Larry Hogan's prior veto of paid sick leave legislation.  This vote by the Senate came on the heals of the House voting to override the veto a day earlier.  As readers might recall, the Governor had vetoed this legislation previously on the grounds that he considered it flawed and damaging to small businesses.  The Governor subsequently proposed paid sick leave legislation of his own.  However Democrats announced that when the new legislative session began on January 10, 2018, they would move to override the veto.  With a veto proof majority, it was widely expected that Democrats would be able to pass their own legislation and would not be forced to bargain with the Governor over his proposed plan.

With the passage of this legislation, approximately 700,000 workers in the state will now be able to earn up to 5 days of paid sick leave a year.  (The legislation provides one hour of paid sick leave can be earned for every thirty hours worked).  The state now becomes the ninth to pass some form of paid sick leave for workers.


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