Hours after the close of the 2025 session, Gov. Wes Moore (D) and legislative leaders signed dozens of bills — many focused on work force and employment issues — into law.
The tranche of 92 bills — including two of the governor’s priorities — came in the first of five such ceremonies scheduled between now and the end of May. Many of the bills signed Tuesday centered around a top area of focus for the governor this year.
“Maryland is mobilizing in support of our workers and in support of our middle-class families,” Moore said in brief opening remarks.
He highlighted Senate Bill 431, which he said incentivizes companies to create apprenticeships.
“This legislation will strengthen the apprenticeship pipeline in the state of Maryland,” Moore said. “Because while we are proud of the fact that Maryland is some of the best four-year institutions of higher education in the entire country, we will end this myth that every single one of our students need to attend one in order to be economically successful.”
Senate President Bill Ferguson (D-Baltimore City) praised the bill and the creation of the Office of Registered Apprenticeship Development as “a critical component of the Department of Labor.” The office will be created within the state Department of Labor’s apprenticeship and training program.
House Bill 502, another Moore priority, creates the Office of Disability Employment Advancement and Policy.
“This bill extends a hand to a community that has been left behind for far too long when it comes to employment — Marylanders with disabilities,” Moore said.
The bill was one of those celebrated as a win by advocates for services for the developmentally disabled.
“This year’s successes mark a turning point for disability services and rights in Maryland,” said Ande Kolp, executive director of The Arc Maryland. “The DD Coalition remains committed to building a more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable future where all people with developmental disabilities can live with dignity, independence and full community participation.”
Half of all Marylanders with disabilities face financial hardships. Marylanders with disabilities make up just 5% of the workforce, according to Moore.
The bill also establishes a “model employer initiative” in which the office will focus on facilitating the hiring of candidates who have disabilities.
“If we want to unleash Maryland’s potential, we need pathways to work, wages and wealth for all members, and not just some,” Moore said.
Moore also signed identical House and Senate bills that will create a fast track for some health care professionals to be licensed in Maryland.
“We are talking about highly qualified, highly skilled workers who have built careers saving lives,” Moore said. “People who have committed their lives to serving the lives of others, and now they are being told by someone who was never willing to take the same oath that they took, that their service doesn’t matter. Well, in Maryland, we believe their service does matter, and this legislation will help ensure essential workers can continue their work to be able to make our state better.”
The new law, which takes effect July 1, applies to health care professionals who hold licenses that have an equivalent in Maryland and who left their federal jobs after Jan. 20 of this year.
The next bill signing is set for April 22.
About last night
Moore, in remarks before the bill signing, praised House and Senate leaders for working collaboratively. He repeated his top three goals for the session including reforming the tax code, making the state economy less dependent on the federal government and taking steps to “invest in our people, invest in our work.”
“Meeting these goals required all of us to work together,” Moore said Tuesday morning.
Ten hours earlier, in a statement released moments after the 90-day session ended, Moore expressed disappointment that some of his priorities failed to gain traction this year. Moore, in his statement, lamented the opportunities missed by the General Assembly on issues related to affordable housing, attracting businesses to the state, and adding nuclear to a clean energy plan that could result in lower rates.
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