Minimum Wage Changes for State of Maryland

20
Jun

Those folks at Maryland’s Department of Labor, Licensing, and Regulation (DLLR) are keeping us busy! In May, they issued new requirements related to the employment of minors. Now the DLLR has issued a second version of the Minimum Wage notice that reflects minimum wage rates through January 1, 2021, and new information about seasonal amusement and recreational establishments. The updated notice has a revision date of 6/2019.

Current & Future Minimum Wage Rates

For the Remainder of 2019

Regardless of the size of an employer’s business, Maryland employers must continue to pay the current minimum wage rate of $10.10 per hour through December 31, 2019.

For the Year 2020

On January 1, 2020, the minimum wage will increase to $11.00 per hour. Just like in 2019, the minimum wage rate is not based on employer size and will apply to all employers.

For the Year 2021

On January 1, 2021, the minimum wage rates will be based on employer size, as follows:

  • Employers with 15 or more employees must pay a minimum wage rate of $11.75 per hour.
  • Employers with 14 or fewer employees must pay a minimum wage rate of $11.60 per hour.

Additional Minimum Wage Requirements

The updated Minimum Wage notice includes new requirements for restaurant owners and employees who are minors.

Restaurant owners who utilize a tip credit are now required to provide employees with a written or electronic wage statement for each pay period.

Employees under age 18 (previously age 20) must now earn at least 85% of the state minimum wage.

New Overtime Only Exemptions

Seasonal amusement and recreational establishments that meet certain criteria have been added to the “Overtime Only Exemptions” list.

PCC Makes Compliance Easy!

Because this is the second update to our Maryland poster this year, if you have not already done so, we encourage you to order our 1-Year Compliance Plan. Under the plan, you will automatically receive the updated Maryland poster as soon as it is available. And because we provide free poster updates for mandatory changes, no matter how many occur during the plan year, you can always count on Poster Compliance Center to keep your business in compliance!