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HB 864
Maryland House•Signed by Governor
Summary
HB 864, the Public Works Contracts - Apprenticeship Requirements (Maryland Workforce Apprenticeship Utilization Act), was introduced in the House on Feb 4, 2026 by Rep. Melissa Wells (D) with 18 co-sponsors. It last saw action on May 12, 2026: Approved by the Governor - Chapter 410.
Record
Text
HB 864 has 18 co-sponsors and 3 roll calls.
hb864/chaptered.txtWES MOORE, Governor Ch. 410Chapter 410(House Bill 864)AN ACT concerningPublic Works Contracts – Apprenticeship Requirements(Maryland Workforce Apprenticeship Utilization Act)FOR the purpose of altering certain apprenticeship requirements relating to public workscontracts to require certain contractors and subcontractors to employ a certainnumber of qualified qualifying new apprentices or journeyworkers necessary to meeta certain applicable percentage for the project; altering which projects are subject tocertain apprenticeship requirements; repealing altering certain provisions of lawthat authorize contractors and subcontractors to make certain payments to a certainapprenticeship program in lieu of employing certain apprentices; requiring theSecretary of Labor to annually establish a certain applicable percentage; authorizingthe Secretary to waive certain requirements under certain circumstances;establishing that certain apprenticeship requirements apply to the UniversitySystem of Maryland and Baltimore City Community College; and generally relatingto apprenticeship requirements for public works contracts.BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments,Article – State Finance and ProcurementSection 11–203(e), 17–601, 17–602, 17–603, 17–604, 17–605, and 17–606Annotated Code of Maryland(2021 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement)BY adding toArticle – State Finance and ProcurementSection 17–601.1, 17–602.1, 17–604.1, 17–605.1, and 17–607Annotated Code of Maryland(2021 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement)BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments,Article – State Finance and ProcurementSection 17–602Annotated Code of Maryland(2021 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement)SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND,That the Laws of Maryland read as follows:Article – State Finance and Procurement11–203.–1–Ch. 410 2026 LAWS OF MARYLAND(e) (1) In this subsection, “University” means the University System ofMaryland, Morgan State University, or St. Mary’s College of Maryland.(2) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, this Division II doesnot apply to the University System of Maryland, Morgan State University, St. Mary’sCollege of Maryland, or Baltimore City Community College.(3) (i) A procurement by a University or Baltimore City CommunityCollege shall comply with the policies and procedures developed by the University orBaltimore City Community College and approved by the Board of Public Works and theAdministrative, Executive, and Legislative Review Committee of the General Assembly inaccordance with:1. § 12–112 of the Education Article for the UniversitySystem of Maryland;2. § 14–109 of the Education Article for Morgan StateUniversity;3. § 14–405(f) of the Education Article for St. Mary’s Collegeof Maryland; or4. § 16–505.3 of the Education Article for Baltimore CityCommunity College.(ii) 1. The review and approval of the Board of Public Worksshall be required for the following types of contracts with a value that exceeds $1,000,000for a University or $500,000 for Baltimore City Community College:A. capital improvements; andB. services.2. In its review of a contract for services or capitalimprovements with a value that exceeds $1,000,000, the Board of Public Works may requestthe comments of the appropriate agencies, including the Department of Budget andManagement and the Department of General Services.3. For Baltimore City Community College contracts that arenot subject to the review and approval of the Board of Public Works under subsubparagraph1 of this subparagraph:A. contracts with a value of $100,000 or less shall be reviewedand approved by the President of Baltimore City Community College or the President’sdesignee; and–2–WES MOORE, Governor Ch. 410B. contracts with a value that exceeds $100,000 but does notexceed $500,000 shall be approved by the Board of Trustees of Baltimore City CommunityCollege.(4) The policies of a University or Baltimore City Community College shall:(i) to the maximum extent practicable, require the purchasing ofsupplies and services in accordance with Title 14, Subtitle 1 of this article;(ii) promote the purposes of the regulations adopted by theDepartment of General Services governing the procurement of architectural andengineering services;(iii) promote the purposes of § 13–402 of the State Personnel andPensions Article;(iv) to the maximum extent practicable, be similar to § 13–218.1 ofthis article; and(v) to the maximum extent practicable, require the procurement offood in accordance with Title 14, Subtitle 7 of this article.(5) (i) Except as provided in paragraph (7) of this subsection, thefollowing provisions of Division II of this article apply to a University and to Baltimore CityCommunity College:1. § 11–205 of this subtitle (“Collusion”);2. § 11–205.1 of this subtitle (“Falsification, concealment,etc., of material facts”);3. § 13–219 of this article (“Required clauses –Nondiscrimination clause”);4. § 13–225 of this article (“Retainage”);5. Title 14, Subtitle 3 of this article (“Minority BusinessParticipation”);6. Title 14, Subtitle 7 of this article (“Certified Local Farmand Fish Program”);7. Title 15, Subtitle 1 of this article (“Procurement ContractAdministration”);–3–Ch. 410 2026 LAWS OF MARYLAND8. § 15–226 of this article (“Policy established; timing ofpayments; notice upon nonpayment; disputes; appeals”); [and]9. Title 16 of this article (“Suspension and Debarment ofContractors”); AND10. TITLE 17,SUBTITLE 6 OF THIS ARTICLE(“APPRENTICESHIP REQUIREMENTS FOR PUBLIC WORKS CONTRACTS”).(ii) Except as provided in paragraph (7) of this subsection, Title 14,Subtitle 8 of this article (“Employee Stock Ownership Plan Preference Program”) applies toMorgan State University, St. Mary’s College of Maryland, and Baltimore City CommunityCollege.(iii) If a procurement violates the provisions of this subsection orpolicies adopted in accordance with this subsection, the procurement contract is void orvoidable in accordance with the provisions of § 11–204 of this subtitle.(6) (i) The State Board of Contract Appeals shall have authority overcontract claims related to procurement contracts awarded by:1. the University System of Maryland before July 1, 1999;2. Morgan State University before July 1, 2004; and3. Baltimore City Community College before July 1, 2021.(ii) At the election of the Board of Regents of the University Systemof Maryland and subject to the approval of the Board of Public Works, the State Board ofContract Appeals shall have authority over contract claims related to procurementcontracts awarded by the University after June 30, 1999.(iii) At the election of the Board of Regents of Morgan StateUniversity and subject to the approval of the Board of Public Works, the State Board ofContract Appeals shall have authority over contract claims related to procurementcontracts awarded by the University after June 30, 2004.(iv) At the election of the Board of Trustees of St. Mary’s College ofMaryland and subject to the approval of the Board of Public Works, the State Board ofContract Appeals shall have authority over contract claims related to procurementcontracts awarded by St. Mary’s College of Maryland after June 30, 2006.(v) At the election of the Board of Trustees of Baltimore CityCommunity College and subject to the approval of the Board of Public Works, the StateBoard of Contract Appeals shall have authority over contract claims related to procurementcontracts awarded by Baltimore City Community College after June 30, 2021.–4–WES MOORE, Governor Ch. 410(7) Except with regard to the provisions of § 15–113 of this article,paragraphs (3), (4), and (5) of this subsection do not apply to:(i) procurement by a University or Baltimore City CommunityCollege from:1. another unit;2. a political subdivision of the State;3. an agency of a political subdivision of the State;4. a government, including the government of another state,of the United States, or of another country;5. an agency or political subdivision of a government; or6. a bistate, multistate, bicounty, or multicountygovernmental agency;(ii) procurement by a University in support of enterprise activitiesfor the purpose of:1. direct resale;2. remanufacture and subsequent resale; or3. procurement by the University for overseas programs; or(iii) procurement by the University System of Maryland for:1. services of managers to invest, in accordance with themanagement and investment policies adopted by the Board of Regents of the UniversitySystem of Maryland, gift and endowment assets received by the University System ofMaryland in accordance with § 12–104(e) of the Education Article; or2. expenditures to manage, maintain, and enhance, inaccordance with the management and investment policies adopted by the Board of Regentsof the University System of Maryland, the value of gift and endowment assets received bythe University System of Maryland in accordance with § 12–104(e) of the Education Article.17–601.(a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.–5–Ch. 410 2026 LAWS OF MARYLAND(B)“APPLICABLE PERCENTAGE” MEANS THE PERCENTAGE OF TOTALLABOR HOURS OF WORK ON A COVERED PROJECT, INCLUDING CONSTRUCTION,ALTERATION, AND REPAIR WORK, PERFORMED BY AN A QUALIFYING APPRENTICEOR A JOURNEYWORKER ESTABLISHED UNDER § 17–602.1 OF THIS SUBTITLE.[(b)] (C) “Apprenticeship training program” means an apprenticeship trainingprogram that:(1) is registered with, and approved by, the Apprenticeship and TrainingCouncil or the U.S. Department of Labor; AND(2) COMPLIES WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF 29 C.F.R. PART 29 ANDPART 30.[(c)] (D) “Covered craft” means a classification of workers listed in the prevailingwage determination applicable to the covered project.[(d)] (E) “Covered project” means a project for the construction of a public work[,as defined under § 17–201 of this title, that is valued at $500,000 or more ] THAT ISSUBJECT TO SUBTITLE 2 OF THIS TITLE.[(e)] (F) “Department” means the Maryland Department of Labor.[(f)] (G) “Fund” means the State Apprenticeship Training Fund establishedunder § 17–602 of this subtitle.(H)“LABOR HOURS” MEANS THE TOTAL NUMBER OF HOURS DEVOTED TOTHE PERFORMANCE OF CONSTRUCTION, ALTERATION, OR REPAIR WORK BY ANYINDIVIDUAL AND EXCLUDES HOURS WORKED BY:(1) FOREMEN;(2) SUPERINTENDENTS;(3) OWNERS; OR(4)ANY PERSON EMPLOYED IN A BONA FIDE EXECUTIVE,ADMINISTRATIVE, OR PROFESSIONAL CAPACITY, AS DEFINED IN 29 C.F.R. PART541.[(g)] (I) “Participates in an apprenticeship training program” means that acontractor or subcontractor makes regular financial contributions for each covered craft toapprenticeship training programs for covered crafts during the term of the covered project–6–WES MOORE, Governor Ch. 410that are at least equal to the hourly fringe benefit contribution rates required forapprenticeship training by the applicable prevailing wage determination for the project, asspecified by the Secretary.(J) “QUALIFIED QUALIFYING APPRENTICE OR JOURNEYWORKER” MEANSAN INDIVIDUAL WHO:(1)HAS GRADUATED FROM A REGISTERED APPRENTICESHIPTRAINING PROGRAM WITHIN 3 YEARS BEFORE THE START DATE OF THE COVEREDPROJECT; OR(2)IS CURRENTLY COMPLETING, OR HAS COMPLETED WITHIN 3 YEARSBEFORE THE START DATE OF THE COVERED PROJECT, THE EQUIVALENT OF ANAPPRENTICESHIP IN LENGTH AND CONTENT OF WORK EXPERIENCE AND ALLREQUIREMENTS IN THE APPRENTICESHIP STANDARDS FOR A CRAFT; OR(2) (3) IS PARTICIPATING ENROLLED IN AN A REGISTEREDAPPRENTICESHIP TRAINING PROGRAM.(K) “QUALIFIEDAPPRENTICESHIP–CONNECTED APPRENTICESHIPPROGRAM” MEANS A PREAPPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM, APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM,OR WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM THAT:(1) DEMONSTRATES THROUGH VERIFIABLE DATA OVER THEPRECEDING 2 YEARS A CONSISTENT RECORD OF PLACING PARTICIPANTS INTO AREGISTERED APPRENTICESHIP TRAINING PROGRAM; AND(2)IS AFFILIATED WITH OR PROVIDES PARTICIPANTS WITH ACCESSTO A REGISTERED APPRENTICESHIP TRAINING PROGRAM THAT HAS A COMPLETIONRATE OF AT LEAST 25%, AS DETERMINED BY THE DEPARTMENT.[(h)] (K) (L) “Secretary” means the Secretary of Labor.17–601.1.(A) THISSUBTITLE APPLIES ONLY TO CONTRACTORS ANDSUBCONTRACTORS WHO EMPLOY FOUR OR MORE INDIVIDUALS TO PERFORM WORKON A COVERED PROJECT.(B) NOTHING IN THIS SUBTITLE MAY PREEMPT A LOCAL LAW OR POLICYPROVIDING FOR ADDITIONAL SKILLED AND TRAINED WORKFORCE REQUIREMENTSON PUBLIC WORKS PROJECTS.17–602.–7–Ch. 410 2026 LAWS OF MARYLAND(a) There is a State Apprenticeship Training Fund in the Department.(b) The Fund consists of:(1) payments made by contractors or subcontractors in accordance withthis subtitle and Subtitle 6A of this title;(2) penalties collected as a result of violations of this subtitle and Subtitle6A of this title; and(3) penalties collected as a result of violations of Title 14, Subtitle 8 of thisarticle; AND(4)ANY MONEY FROM ANY OTHER SOURCE ACCEPTED FOR THEBENEFIT OF THE FUND.(c) The Fund is a special, nonlapsing fund that is not subject to § 7–302 of thisarticle.(d) The State Treasurer shall hold the Fund separately, and the Comptroller shallaccount for the Fund.(e) The Secretary shall use money in the Fund to:(1) SUBJECT TO SUBSECTION (F) OF THIS SECTION, promote ORSUPPORT preapprenticeship programs, APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMS, and otherworkforce development programs in the State’s public secondary schools and communitycolleges that assist students in preparing for and entering apprenticeship trainingprograms; and(2) pay any costs associated with carrying out the provisions of this subtitleand Subtitle 6A of this title or Title 14, Subtitle 8 of this article.(F)FUNDS DISTRIBUTED UNDER SUBSECTION (E)(1) OF THIS SECTIONSHALL BE AWARDED ONLY TO QUALIFIED APPRENTICESHIP–CONNECTEDAPPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMS.17–602.1.(A) FOR CONSTRUCTION ON A COVERED PROJECT FOR WHICH A PUBLICBODY ADVERTISES FOR BIDS OR PROPOSALS FOR A PUBLIC WORKS CONTRACT ONOR AFTER JANUARY 1, 2027, THE APPLICABLE PERCENTAGE IS 20%.–8–WES MOORE, Governor Ch. 410(B) (1) ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 31, 2027 2028, AND EACH EVERYOTHER DECEMBER 31 THEREAFTER, THE SECRETARY SHALL SET THE APPLICABLEPERCENTAGE THAT WILL APPLY FOR THE FOLLOWING CALENDAR YEAR.(2) THEAPPLICABLE PERCENTAGE ADOPTED UNDER THISSUBSECTION SHALL BE BASED ON, OVER THE PREVIOUS 2 YEARS:(I) ENROLLMENT IN STATE APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMS; AND(II) ACTUAL APPRENTICESHIP UTILIZATION ON PUBLIC WORKSPROJECTS.(C) THE SECRETARY MAY ALTER THE APPLICABLE PERCENTAGE FOR ACOVERED PROJECT TO MEET ANY RATIO REQUIREMENTS NECESSARY FORAPPRENTICE OR JOURNEYWORKER SUPERVISION IN THE COVERED CRAFT.17–603.(a) A contractor that is awarded a procurement contract for a covered project shallprovide to a unit, as a condition of receiving the contract, written verification that:(1) the contractor [participates in an apprenticeship training program foreach covered craft in which it will employ persons for the covered project ] AND ISEMPLOYING THE NUMBER OF QUALIFIED QUALIFYING NEW APPRENTICES ORJOURNEYWORKERS FOR A COVERED PROJECT NECESSARY TO MEET THEAPPLICABLE PERCENTAGE FOR THE COVERED PROJECT; OR(2) the contractor will make payments to the Fund IN ACCORDANCE WITH§ 17–605 OF THIS SUBTITLE[; or(3) the contractor will make payments in amounts determined under §17–605 of this subtitle to a registered apprenticeship program or to an organization thathas registered apprenticeship programs QUALIFIED APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM for thepurpose of supporting these programs].(b) The written verification required under subsection (a) of this section shall beprovided by a contractor to the unit responsible for the project before the contractorcommences performance under the procurement contract.[(c) Organizations that have registered QUALIFIED apprenticeship programs andreceive funds from contractors under subsection (a)(3) of this section shall certify to theSecretary that all funds received are used solely for the purpose of improving or expandingapprenticeship training in the State.–9–Ch. 410 2026 LAWS OF MARYLAND(d) The Secretary shall adopt regulations to establish a process for auditingorganizations that provide registered QUALIFIED apprenticeship programs to ensure thatall funds received under subsection (a)(3) of this section are used solely to improve andexpand apprenticeship programs in the State.]17–604.(a) A subcontractor that performs work at a value exceeding the smallprocurement amount specified in § 13–109 of this article for a covered project shall provideto a unit written verification that:(1) the subcontractor [participates in an apprenticeship training programfor each covered craft in which it will employ persons] AND IS EMPLOYING THE NUMBEROF QUALIFIED QUALIFYING NEW APPRENTICES OR JOURNEYWORKERS FOR ACOVERED PROJECT NECESSARY TO MEET THE APPLICABLE PERCENTAGE for thecovered project; OR(2)the subcontractor will make payments to the Fund IN ACCORDANCEWITH § 17–605 OF THIS SUBTITLE[; or(3) the subcontractor will make payments in amounts determined under §17–605 of this subtitle to a registered apprenticeship program or to an organization thathas registered apprenticeship programs QUALIFIED APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM for thepurpose of supporting these programs].(b) The written verification required under subsection (a) of this section shall beprovided by a subcontractor to the unit responsible for the project before the subcontractorcommences performance under the procurement contract.[(c) Organizations that have registered QUALIFIED apprenticeship programs andreceive funds from contractors under subsection (a)(3) of this section shall certify to theSecretary that all funds received are used solely for the purpose of improving or expandingapprenticeship training in the State.(d) The Secretary shall adopt regulations to establish a process for auditingorganizations that provide registered QUALIFIED apprenticeship programs to ensure thatall funds received under subsection (a)(3) of this section are used solely to improve andexpand apprenticeship programs in the State.]17–604.1.(A)IN THIS SECTION, “ALL APPLICABLE APPRENTICESHIP TRAININGPROGRAMS” MEANS EACH APPRENTICESHIP TRAINING PROGRAM THAT HAS AGEOGRAPHIC AREA OF OPERATION THAT INCLUDES THE LOCATION OF THE– 10 –WES MOORE, Governor Ch. 410COVERED PROJECT AND HAS A USUAL AND CUSTOMARY BUSINESS PRACTICE OFENTERING INTO AGREEMENTS WITH EMPLOYERS FOR THE PLACEMENT OFAPPRENTICES IN THE COVERED CRAFT.(B) THE SECRETARY MAY WAIVE THE REQUIREMENTS UNDER § 17–603 OR§ 17–604 OF THIS SUBTITLE IF A CONTRACTOR OR SUBCONTRACTOR SUBMITS AWRITTEN WAIVER APPLICATION, INCLUDING ANY SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATIONREQUIRED BY THE SECRETARY, DEMONSTRATING THAT THE CONTRACTOR ORSUBCONTRACTOR:(1)SUBJECT TO SUBSECTION (C) OF THIS SECTION, HAS REQUESTEDQUALIFIED APPRENTICES FROM ALL APPLICABLE APPRENTICESHIP TRAININGPROGRAMS; AND(2) FOR EACH REQUEST:(I)THE REQUEST HAS BEEN DENIED FOR A REASON THAT ISNOT THE RESULT OF A REFUSAL BY THE CONTRACTOR OR SUBCONTRACTOR TOCOMPLY WITH THE ESTABLISHED STANDARDS AND REQUIREMENTS OF THEAPPRENTICESHIP TRAINING PROGRAM; OR(II)THE APPRENTICESHIP TRAINING PROGRAM HAS FAILED TORESPOND TO THE REQUEST WITHIN 10 BUSINESS DAYS AFTER THE DATE ON WHICHTHE APPRENTICESHIP TRAINING PROGRAM RECEIVED THE REQUEST.(C) TO REQUEST QUALIFIED APPRENTICES FROM AN APPRENTICESHIPTRAINING PROGRAM, A CONTRACTOR OR SUBCONTRACTOR SHALL SUBMIT:(1)A REQUEST BY TELEPHONE AND IN WRITING SENTELECTRONICALLY AND BY REGISTERED MAIL; AND(2)A REQUEST TO AN APPRENTICESHIP TRAINING PROGRAM WITHWHICH THE CONTRACTOR OR SUBCONTRACTOR DOES NOT HAVE AN EXISTINGPARTICIPATION AGREEMENT, AT LEAST 90 CALENDAR DAYS BEFORE THE DATE THECONTRACTOR OR SUBCONTRACTOR EXPECTS TO USE APPRENTICE LABOR.17–605.(a) (1) A contractor or subcontractor [that elects to make payments to theFund in accordance with this subtitle] shall make payments, as determined by theSecretary, not to exceed 25 cents per hour for each employee in each covered craft who isemployed by the contractor or subcontractor on the covered project, IF THE CONTRACTOROR SUBCONTRACTOR:– 11 –Ch. 410 2026 LAWS OF MARYLAND(I)ELECTS TO MAKE PAYMENTS TO THE FUND OR A QUALIFIEDAPPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS SUBTITLE; OR(II) FAILS TO MEET THEIR FULL QUALIFIED QUALIFYING NEWAPPRENTICE OR JOURNEYWORKER UTILIZATION REQUIREMENT UNDER THISSUBTITLE.(2) If the prevailing wage determination for a covered craft includes afringe benefit contribution for apprenticeship programs that exceeds 25 cents, thecontractor or subcontractor shall pay the difference to the employees in the covered craft inwages.(3) Payments made under this section fulfill any obligations of thecontractor or subcontractor regarding contributions for apprenticeship programs includedin the prevailing wage determination under § 17–208 of this title.(4) Payments made under paragraph (1) of this subsection are permissibledeductions under § 17–215(b) of this title.(5) Payments made to the Fund in accordance with paragraph (1) of thissubsection shall be made on a monthly basis.(b) (1) If the Secretary determines that a contractor or subcontractor for acovered project has made contributions to an apprenticeship training program at rateslower than those required by this subtitle, OR HAS FAILED TO SATISFY THE QUALIFIEDQUALIFYING NEW APPRENTICE AND JOURNEYWORKER UTILIZATION REQUIREMENTUNDER THIS SUBTITLE, the contractor or subcontractor shall make payments to the Fund[for the] EQUAL TO THE PRO RATA difference between its contribution and thecontribution rate required by this subtitle.(2) Payments made to the Fund in accordance with paragraph (1) of thissubsection shall be made on a monthly basis.(c) A contractor shall report all apprenticeship payments made under thissubtitle on prevailing wage payroll records required by § 17–220 of this title.(d) (1) A contractor or subcontractor that makes contributions to the Fund, aregistered apprenticeship OR A QUALIFIED APPRENTICESHIP program, or anorganization that has registered apprenticeship programs may request that itscontributions be directed to a specific preapprenticeship, APPRENTICESHIP, or workforcedevelopment program.– 12 –WES MOORE, Governor Ch. 410(2) The Secretary shall make a good–faith effort to accommodate requestsreceived FOR CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE FUND in accordance with paragraph (1) of thissubsection.17–605.1.(A) WHILE CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITY ON A COVERED PROJECT IS ONGOING,EACH CONTRACTOR AND SUBCONTRACTOR PERFORMING WORK ON THE COVEREDPROJECT SHALL SUBMIT A MONTHLY REPORT TO THE DEPARTMENT THATINCLUDES:(1) FOR EACH APPRENTICE OR JOURNEYWORKER:(I) THE NAME OF THE APPRENTICE OR JOURNEYWORKER;(II) THE NAME OF THE ASSOCIATED APPRENTICESHIP TRAININGPROGRAM; AND(III) THE APPRENTICE REGISTRATION OR IDENTIFICATIONNUMBER;(2)THE TOTAL NUMBER OF APPRENTICES AND LABOR HOURSWORKED, CATEGORIZED BY TRADE OR CRAFT; AND(3)THE TOTAL NUMBER OF JOURNEYWORKERS AND LABOR HOURSWORKED, CATEGORIZED BY TRADE OR CRAFT.(B)WITHIN 60 DAYS AFTER COMPLETING WORK ON A COVERED PROJECT,EACH CONTRACTOR AND SUBCONTRACTOR SHALL SUBMIT TO THE DEPARTMENT:(1)A STATEMENT OF THE TOTAL NUMBER OF LABOR HOURS OF WORKON A COVERED PROJECT, INCLUDING CONSTRUCTION, ALTERATION, AND REPAIRWORK, PERFORMED BY AN APPRENTICE OR JOURNEYWORKER; AND(2)IF APPLICABLE, A WRITTEN DECLARATION AND SUPPORTINGDOCUMENTS JUSTIFYING ANY WAIVER RECEIVED UNDER § 17–604.1 OF THISSUBTITLE.(C) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL MAINTAIN ON ITS WEBSITE:(1) DATA AGGREGATED FROM THE REPORTS RECEIVED UNDERSUBSECTIONS (A) AND (B) OF THIS SECTION SHOWING THE USE OF QUALIFIED– 13 –Ch. 410 2026 LAWS OF MARYLANDQUALIFYING NEW APPRENTICES AND JOURNEYWORKERS ON COVERED PROJECTS;AND(2) DESCRIPTIONS OF THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF ANY WAIVERGRANTED UNDER § 17–604.1 PAYMENTS MADE BY EACH CONTRACTOR ORSUBCONTRACTOR UNDER § 17–605 OF THIS SUBTITLE.17–606.(a) A contractor or subcontractor that fails to meet the requirements of thissubtitle shall be liable for an amount equal to:(1) twice the amount of unpaid apprenticeship training contributionsrequired by §§ 17–603 AND 17–604 OF this subtitle; AND(2)$100 MULTIPLIED BY THE TOTAL LABOR HOURS FOR WHICH THEREQUIREMENT UNDER § 17–603 OF THIS SUBTITLE WAS APPLICABLE A FINE OF UPTO $10,000.(b) (1) In this subsection, “willfully” means representations or omissionsknown to be false or made with deliberate ignorance or reckless disregard for their truth orfalsity.(2) Any person, firm, or corporation that is found to have made willfully afalse or fraudulent representation or omission regarding a material fact in connection withprevailing wage records required by this section shall be liable for a civil penalty in anamount of up to $1,000 for each employee and each falsified record.(3) Penalties shall be recoverable [in civil actions and paid to the State]UNDER THE MARYLAND FALSE CLAIMS ACT BY ORDER OF THE SECRETARY ANDPAID TO THE GENERAL FUND.(c) (1) The Secretary shall adopt regulations to establish administrativeprocedures for the collection of payments under this subtitle.(2) (i) The Secretary may file suit to enforce this section in any court ofcompetent jurisdiction.(ii) In an action filed under this subsection, the court shall requirethe contractor or subcontractor to pay the amount required by subsection (a) of this section,including interest, reasonable counsel fees, and court costs.17–607.– 14 –WES MOORE, Governor Ch. 410THE SECRETARY SHALL ADOPT REGULATIONS NECESSARY TO CARRY OUT THEREQUIREMENTS OF THIS SUBTITLE.SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effectOctober 1, 2026.Approved by the Governor, May 12, 2026.– 15 –
Altering certain apprenticeship requirements relating to public works contracts to require certain contractors and subcontractors to employ a certain number of qualifying new apprentices or journeyworkers necessary to meet a certain applicable percentage for the project; altering which projects are subject to certain apprenticeship requirements; altering certain provisions of law that authorize contractors and subcontractors to make certain payments to a certain apprenticeship program in lieu of employing certain apprentices; etc.
Sponsors
Rep. Melissa Wells (D) sponsors HB 864, and 18 members have co-sponsored it.

Rep. · D–40 · Sponsor

Rep. · D–24 · Co-sponsor

Rep. · D–45 · Co-sponsor

Rep. · D–24 · Co-sponsor

Rep. · D–23 · Co-sponsor

Rep. · D–47 · Co-sponsor

Rep. · D–27 · Co-sponsor

Rep. · D–17 · Co-sponsor

Rep. · D–11 · Co-sponsor

Rep. · D–25 · Co-sponsor
Committees
HB 864 went before 2 committees: Government, Labor, and Elections and Budget and Taxation.

History
HB 864 has taken 16 actions since Feb 4, 2026, the latest on May 12, 2026.
| Chamber | Action | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
May 12, 2026 | House | Approved by the Governor - Chapter 410 | ||
Apr 11, 2026 | House | House Concurs Senate Amendments | ||
Apr 11, 2026 | House | Third Reading Passed (122-8) | ||
Apr 11, 2026 | House | Passed Enrolled | ||
Apr 9, 2026 | Senate | Favorable with Amendments Report by Budget and Taxation |
Votes
HB 864 went to 3 roll calls across both chambers, the latest on Apr 11, 2026 at 122–8.
| Chamber | Question | Yea | Nay | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Apr 11, 2026 | House | Third Reading Passed | 122 | 8 | ||
Apr 9, 2026 | Senate | Third Reading Passed | 41 | 0 | ||
Mar 21, 2026 | House | Third Reading Passed | 118 | 6 |
Source: mgaleg.maryland.gov · legiscan.com