Maryland paid sick leave law

What it can be used for

Own or family member's illness, injury or preventive care; maternity or paternity leave; and absences related to domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking. Source: mgaleg.maryland.gov↗ (opens in a new tab)

Notice and documentation

Employers may require up to 7 days' notice for foreseeable leave and proof for leave over 2 consecutive scheduled shifts. Pay statements must show available leave. Source: mgaleg.maryland.gov↗ (opens in a new tab)

Who is not covered

Employees who regularly work under 12 hours a week, some union construction workers under a clear CBA waiver, and certain as-needed health or human services workers. Source: mgaleg.maryland.gov↗ (opens in a new tab)

Penalties

Labor Commissioner can order unpaid leave value, damages, up to 3 times the hourly wage per violation and up to $1,000 per employee; courts can award triple damages. Source: mgaleg.maryland.gov↗ (opens in a new tab)

The law and where to check

The law: Md. Code, Lab. & Empl. §§ 3-1301 to 3-1311 (Healthy Working Families Act) (opens in a new tab)

The agency: Maryland Department of Labor, Division of Labor and Industry (opens in a new tab)

What federal law says

No federal law requires private employers to give paid sick leave. Federal contractors must give up to 7 days a year under Executive Order 13706. Source: U.S. Department of Labor↗ (opens in a new tab) Source: U.S. DOL — EO 13706↗ (opens in a new tab)

Paid sick leave checklist for Maryland employers

A simple order of work, based on the rules above. It is not a legal checklist.

1. Check whether your business size is covered by the rule above.
2. Set up accrual in your payroll or HR system (or front-load the yearly amount).
3. Write a sick leave policy covering accrual, the cap, carryover, notice and documentation.
4. Show each employee's balance where your state requires it.
5. Check for city or county sick leave laws where your staff work.
6. Keep records of time earned and used.

More Maryland employment law guides

• All Maryland employment laws
• Maryland final paycheck law
• Maryland meal and rest break laws
• Maryland overtime law
• Maryland pay frequency law
• Maryland vacation and PTO payout law
• Maryland new hire reporting
• Maryland at-will exceptions

Paid sick leave laws in other states

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Disclaimer: This guide provides general information based on publicly available official sources and is for information only. It is not legal, tax, payroll or employment-law advice and does not guarantee compliance with federal, state or local requirements. Rules can depend on your location, industry, contracts and other circumstances, and laws change. Always check the official source, the relevant government agency or a qualified professional before making a decision. MadyHR.ai accepts no responsibility for any action taken based on this page.

Last checked: October 19, 2026. Every rule and source link on this page was checked against the official government source on this date. Laws change, so always open the source link before you act.