Maryland's Living Wage Law goes into Effect October 1st

BALTIMORE (9/28/2007) - Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation Secretary Thomas E. Perez today announced contractors doing business with the State will be subject to a new law effective Monday. The Living Wage Law requires certain contractors and subcontractors seeking to do business with the state, to ensure that their workers are paid either $11.30 per hour or $8.50 per hour, depending upon the jurisdiction where the services are performed.

The State Living Wage Law does not apply to county and municipal contracts although some local governments such as Montgomery County and Baltimore City have their own living wage requirements.

This law applies prospectively only to contracts awarded after October 1, 2007.

The Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing, and Regulation is responsible for establishing the wage rates and ensuring compliance with the laws.

"Monday is a historic day, as Maryland is the first state in the Nation to implement a living wage law," said Secretary Perez. "I hope other states will follow our lead. Our law serves as a model to help hard working families make ends meet. We need to level the playing field and pay people fairly for their services."

Information on the Living Wage Law and the regulations are available on the DLLR website.

General procurement questions may be directed to the Board of Public Works at 410-260-7335 (local) or toll-free at 1-877-591-7320.

Updated July 30, 2009