Maryland will require businesses to include a pay range in job postings under legislation that Gov. Wes Moore (D) signed into law Thursday.
The measure (SB 525/HB 649) that takes effect Oct. 1 adds Maryland to a growing list of states mandating pay transparency. The laws are aimed at shrinking the wage gaps commonly faced by women and workers of color by giving them more information when negotiating salaries.
Colorado first required pay information in job ads beginning in 2021, followed by California, Hawaii, New York City, New York state, and Washington state. Similar requirements are set to take effect in Washington, D.C., on June 30 and Illinois on Jan. 1, 2025.
Maryland’s labor commissioner is tasked with enforcement of the new state law and can impose fines. Unlike the California and Washington state laws, the Maryland measure doesn’t authorize employees and job applicants to sue employers for violations.
Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) vetoed a pay transparency bill in neighboring Virginia March 14.
President Joe Biden in January announced plans to require pay ranges nationwide in job postings connected to federal government contracts, and a broad pay transparency directive also is being rolled out in the EU.
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