By Tashi McQueen
AFRO Political Writer
tmcqueen@afro.com
Though many new laws from the 2023 session of the Maryland General Assembly took effect in July and October, some will not apply until 2024.
Several new laws took effect on Jan. 1.
The Stop the Spam Calls Act of 2023 (SB90/HB37), which restricts mobile phone solicitations for non-charities, went into effect on Jan. 1. An individual who violates the law is guilty of a misdemeanor and, if convicted, will be fined up to $1,000 for a first offense and $5,000 for each subsequent violation.
“Spam calls and calls that conceal the caller’s identity are on the rise. A report found that 123.8 million spam calls were made to Maryland residents in one month, January 2019, an average of almost 15 calls per person for every resident of the state,” said Marceline White, executive director of Economic Action Maryland, in written testimony. “Although there are some federal regulations related to spam calls and robocalls, they have been largely ineffective. The federal regulations provide a floor and SB 90 creates stronger state guardrails for Maryland residents by requiring affirmative consent to receive these calls.”
Several businesses that use similar call systems to reach their customers and potential clientele spoke against the new law.
“As written, SB90/HB37 would prohibit a person from making certain calls in a certain manner by restricting the methods, times and identifying information that the person making the call may utilize. Specifically, before a person has the ability to perform the telephone solicitation to a resident, they must first receive expressed written consent,” said Davion Percy in written testimony on behalf of the Retail Energy Supply Association. “For businesses seeking new customers by telephone, they would now be confronted with an unreasonable and unnecessary barrier that would ultimately require an additional form of solicitation from the resident.”
“Thanks to the Fair Wage Act, Maryland will ring in 2024 with a much-needed $15 minimum wage.”
Another new law (SB805/HB1217) that has taken effect since Jan. 1 requires non-profit health service plans, insurers and health maintenance organizations in Maryland to provide coverage for biomarker testing. Biomarker testing helps doctors diagnose, treat, manage and monitor diseases according to the legislation.
When it comes to earnings on the job, the Fair Wage Act of 2023 (SB555/HB549), a law that requires all Maryland employers to increase the minimum wage to $15, went into effect on Jan. 1. The minimum wage in Maryland was $13.25 for employers with 15 employees or more and $12.80 for employers with 14 or fewer employees.
“Thanks to the Fair Wage Act, Maryland will ring in 2024 with a much-needed $15 minimum wage. It will help workers put food on the table, keep a roof overhead and boost the consumer spending that local businesses depend on,” said Holly Sklar, founder and CEO of Business for a Fair Minimum Wage. “Fairer wages also help businesses hire and retain employees and deliver the reliable service that leads to repeat customers instead of lost customers.”
Though the Fair Wage Act has gotten significant applause, several organizations are against the law.
“As a general proposition, the Maryland Multi-Housing Association (MMHA) believes that wages should be commensurate with the cost of living. However, the minimum wage should be reassessed and reauthorized by the Maryland General Assembly regularly, rather than predetermined by a rigid formula with limited factors,” said the MMHA in a written testimony.
Later this year, another new law, SB760/HB1055, will take effect on June 1. It will stop employers from hiring uncertified security guards and requires the Maryland Police Training and Standards Commission to identify or create training programs for security guards. The bill also requires that a security guard agency or employer submit a detailed report of any use of force incidents by a security guard while on the job within 48 hours after the altercation.
Tashi McQueen is a Report For America corps member.
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