ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Governor Wes Moore presided over the first bill signing ceremony of 2025 on Tuesday, April 8, enacting legislation aimed at strengthening Maryland’s workforce amid economic and political challenges. The event, held hours after the close of the 2025 legislative session, saw the governor sign bills addressing apprenticeships, employment for people with disabilities, and support for healthcare workers affected by federal layoffs. The measures reflect the Moore-Miller Administration’s focus on expanding job opportunities and economic resilience.
The signing ceremony marked the passage of key workforce development laws, including the Registered Apprenticeship Investments for a Stronger Economy (RAISE) Act, the Model Employer Act, and a health occupations bill targeting former federal employees. These laws come as Maryland grapples with a $3 billion budget deficit and uncertainty from a new federal administration, which Moore criticized for its impact on the state’s workers.
“This legislative session began with uncertainty, as Maryland faced both the largest budget challenge since the Great Recession and a new federal administration that turned its back on Maryland’s workers and economy,” Moore said during the ceremony. “We looked ‘impossible’ straight in the eyes, and we didn’t flinch. In partnership with the General Assembly, we are building pathways to work, wages, and wealth—even as the White House seeks to lay off thousands of employees. The legislation I sign today will help grow our economy and build new pipelines to employment for all.”
The RAISE Act aims to expand career pathways through registered apprenticeships, targeting good-paying jobs in non-traditional industries such as cybersecurity and aerospace, which the state identifies as “lighthouse sectors.” The legislation establishes the Maryland Office of Registered Apprenticeship Development to increase apprenticeship opportunities, allowing workers to earn income while gaining skills. This initiative positions Maryland as a leader in workforce training, according to the governor’s office.
Another significant measure, the Model Employer Act, directs the Department of Disabilities to create policies supporting employment and job training for Marylanders with disabilities. The law establishes the Office of Disability Employment Advancement and Policy, tasked with connecting individuals with disabilities to sustainable employment. “Passing the RAISE Act and the Model Employer Act is part of the Moore-Miller Administration’s broader mission to build a stronger economy with a workforce that reflects the full talent and diversity of Maryland,” said Lt. Gov. Aruna Miller. She emphasized the administration’s commitment to inclusive economic growth.
Additionally, Moore signed a bill titled Health Occupations – Authorization to Practice for Former Federal Employees and Dental Applicants Licensed or Certified in Another State. This legislation instructs the Maryland Department of Health to fast-track license approvals for healthcare workers previously licensed in other states but recently laid off from federal positions. The move complements broader efforts to recruit and retain federal workers impacted by job cuts, a priority for the administration as Maryland hosts a significant federal workforce.
The bills are part of a larger package signed Tuesday, with a complete list available at https://governor.maryland.gov/news/Pages/bill-signings.aspx. Maryland lawmakers passed over 800 bills during the 90-day session that ended Monday, April 7, addressing issues from public safety to economic growth. Moore has until late May to act on remaining legislation.
The workforce initiatives build on prior efforts, such as a $23 million federal grant announced in August 2024 to expand apprenticeships in healthcare, technology, and transportation, according to the Maryland Department of Labor. These programs target underrepresented groups, aligning with the state’s goal of equitable job access.
As of early 2025, Maryland’s state workforce vacancy rate stood at 5,222, down from 6,500 in 2022, per the Department of Budget and Management. Moore’s administration has sought to address this shortfall while responding to federal layoffs threatening thousands of jobs in the state, a challenge he framed as both an economic and moral imperative.
