Bill Positions

Bill Number: HB 714

Bill Title: Labor and Employment - Exemption from Covered Employment - Home Care Workers

Bill Sponsor(s): Dels. Krysiak, et al.

Subject: Unemployment Insurance

Committee: ECM

Bill Summary: This bill would have exempted Home Care Workers from covered employment for Unemployment Insurance if the worker and home care agency entered into a written agreement.

History: This bill died in the House Economic Matters Committee without a vote.

Chamber Position: Oppose

Position Summary: The Maryland Chamber opposes the exemption of specific categories of employment from covered employment to avoid payment of unemployment insurance taxes. The Maryland Chamber understands why an employer would not desire to pay these taxes on an employee; however, the ability for an employer to exempt certain employees will result in no payroll tax being paid on these individuals, which ultimately weakens the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund. This causes an undesired cyclical effect that would have negative consequences on businesses and the Trust Fund. For these reasons, the Maryland Chamber opposed this legislation.

Position Statement: To view the Chamber's complete position statement, click here (pdf).

Chamber Staff: Allyson Black

General Assembly: Click here to view the bill on the Maryland General Assembly's website.