Maryland Lawmakers Can Improve Economic Security for Women

While women in Maryland are better off financially than their counterparts in other states, on average, they still only earn about 85 cents for every $1 men earn. The wage gap is even more pronounced for women of color, with black women earning 69 cents and Latina women earning 42 cents for every $1 a white man earns.

Several bills under consideration in the General Assembly will help create greater economic security for people who are struggling to make ends meet and will disproportionately benefit working women and their families. Female-headed households are more likely to be among the lowest earners in Maryland, and a greater percentage of women are represented in low-wage service industry jobs that have few benefits. Passing these bill will mean more Marylanders are able to earn enough to afford the basics in life, and we will all benefit from healthier communities and a stronger economy.

Earned sick days

The Healthy Working Families Act (House Bill 1 and Senate Bill 230) will ensure most Marylanders are able to take paid time off when they are sick, or when they need to care for a sick child or other family member. Without paid leave, more than 700,000 Marylanders are now forced to choose between their health and being able to make rent or put food on the table.

This legislation has passed the full House of Delegates and is up for a vote in the Senate this week. Passing a strong earned sick days law will benefit families, our economy, and Maryland businesses.

Minimum wage increase

The benefits of our state’s improving economy are still out of reach for the majority of Marylanders. Since 2007, hourly wages for a typical Maryland worker have failed to keep up with inflation, and the lowest-paid workers have seen the purchasing power of their hourly wages fall by more than 7 percent, as of 2015. One reason why so many working people are falling behind at a time when incomes for the wealthiest are soaring is the failure of the minimum wage to keep up with the rising cost of living.

House Bill 1416 and Senate Bill 962 would gradually increase Maryland’s minimum wage to $15 per hour by 2022 and automatically make future increases to account for inflation after that. Raising the minimum wage would put more money in the hands of people who are now working but struggling to get by on low wages, which would mean stronger sales at local businesses and a healthier Maryland economy.

Fair workweek

Another challenge affecting many Maryland families is the unpredictable practices some employers use when scheduling part-time workers. Almost half of people who work part time receive their schedules one week or less in advance. Employers also are able to schedule workers as “on-call” for the day without any guarantee of work or pay, cancel shifts at the last minute, and send workers home early without paying them.  If workers are unable to meet these expectations, they are often punished with fewer hours or risk being fired.

Legislation now before the General Assembly, House Bill 1614 and Senate Bill 1116, would require employers to give three weeks’ notice of work schedules and would allow workers to decline any hours scheduled with less notice. This would enable workers to plan ahead to meet their work and non-work responsibilities. The law also would require employers to pay employees for up to four hours of work when they are scheduled for on-call shifts. This will encourage employers to create stable, predictable schedules. Improving scheduling and leave options for families will also benefit businesses by reducing employee turnover, saving on hiring and training expenses.

More affordable child care

The cost of child care is on the rise around the country, and Maryland families have it especially hard. Our child care costs are the fifth highest in the country, with families paying nearly $14,000 per year to keep an infant in good hands while parents work. That’s why two bills this year could help bring child care assistance more in line with costs in the marketplace.

Two bills under consideration in the General Assembly, House Bill 395/Senate Bill 293 and House Bill 418/Senate Bill 294, that would take the first steps toward increasing reimbursement rates – requiring state agencies to review the rates and come up with a plan for raising them to meet national standards. At a time when many families face child care costs that exceed tuition at public universities, it is clear that we must do more to ensure that all Maryland children have a safe, developmentally enriching place to go while their parents work.