Maryland Expands Employment and Insurance Protections for Uniformed Services

What happened?

On April 8, 2025, Governor Wes Moore signed the Employment and Insurance Equality for Service Members Act (SB 279 / HB 895 (Chapter 5, 2025)) into law, expanding protections for service members, veterans, and their families across Maryland.

Overview:

HB 895 broadens coverage from the Armed Forces to all Uniformed Services, extending existing protections and benefits across leave, licensing, unemployment insurance, PFMLI, and hiring preferences without altering the core policy intent.

The Act also standardizes key definitions such as “veteran,” “service member,” “active duty,” and “reserve component” across Maryland law by aligning them with federal statutes for clarity and consistency.

General Changes from the Employment and Insurance Equality for Service Members Act

• Definitions aligned statewide: Maryland statutes now use the same meanings for “service member,” “veteran,” “uniformed services,” etc.

• Employment & licensing: Faster licensing and recognition of equivalent military training; no fees or penalties tied to deployment‑related delays.

• Insurance: Anti‑discrimination and coverage rules expressly protect uniformed services members and families.

• Economic development: The veteran small‑business no‑interest loan program now covers all uniformed services personnel.

• Labor & employment: “Deployment Day” leave applies when an immediate family member leaves for or returns from active duty in any Uniformed Service (not only the Armed Forces).

Additional Information:

Labor & Employment: Updates at a Glance

§ 1–101 (Definitions): Adds cross-references for “Active Service Member,” “Reserve Component,” “Service Member,” and “Uniformed Services.”

• Effect: Creates consistent terminology and expands coverage beyond the Armed Forces.

§ 3–708 (Licensing & Apprenticeship): Renewal within 1 year after active service is timely; military training counts toward apprenticeship.

• Effect: Applies these protections to all Uniformed Services.

§ 3–714 (Hiring Preferences): Employers may prefer veterans, spouses of veterans with disabilities, spouses of active service members, and surviving spouses.

• Effect: Clarifies eligibility and aligns with standardized definitions.

§ 3–803(b) (Military Family Leave Day): Leave applies when an immediate family member departs for or returns from active duty in any Uniformed Service.

• Effect: Expands beyond Armed Forces.

§ 8–906 (Unemployment – Inactive Duty Training): Inactive duty training does not affect employment status or benefit eligibility; drill pay not deducted.

• Effect: Applies to all Uniformed Services.

§ 8–1001(c)(1)(iii) (Unemployment – Good Cause to Quit): Includes moves due to spouse’s service or related federal employment.

• Effect: Broadens and clarifies coverage.

Title 8.3 (PFMLI Program): Updates definitions (e.g., “Active Duty,” “Eligible Service Member”), qualifying exigencies, and benefit triggers.

• Effect: Aligns PFMLI with new terminology and coverage for caregiving and deployment-related leave.

§ 11–503(b)(6)– (7) (Dislocated Worker): Updates language to “Active Service Member.”

• Effect: Maintains spouse protections while standardizing terms.

Source References

• Maryland HB 0895 – Employment and Insurance Equality for Service Members Act
• Maryland SB 0279 – Companion

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