On Monday, March 20, 2017, the Baltimore City Council approved a bill to raise the minimum wage paid to workers located in Baltimore City to $15.00 an hour by 2022. The next step resides with Mayor Catherine Pugh, who stated on Friday, March 24, 2017 that she plans to veto the bill. Any veto override would occur in mid-May. The bill proposes to phase in the wage increases as follows:

July 1, 2019: $11.25

July 1, 2020: $12.50

July 1, 2021: $13.75

July 1, 2022: $15.00

Beginning July 1, 2023 and annually thereafter, the minimum wage would increase based on cost of living adjustments.

Maryland’s current minimum wage is $8.75; increasing to $9.25 on July 1, 2017; and to $10.10 on July 1, 2018. Other Maryland counties have higher hourly minimum wages, but none as high as $15.00.

The federal minimum wage is $7.25 which was last increased on July 24, 2009.

If you have questions about these proposed changes or need employment law counsel, please contact Laura Rubenstein at lrubenstein@offitkurman.com or 410-209-6433.

ABOUT LAURA RUBENSTEIN

Laura Rubenstein is the Chair of the firm’s Labor and Employment Practice Group. As an employment lawyer, she concentrates in general employment litigation, representing corporate clients and nonprofit agencies in a wide range of matters. These matters include the defense of federal, state and local discrimination claims, workplace and sexual harassment charges, ADA and ADEA claims, wage and hour issues, FMLA disputes, employment contracts, restrictive covenant agreements, general contract claims, employment-related and other business tort claims around the country. She represents clients before numerous local, state, and federal administrative agencies and courts across the nation, as well as in arbitrations, mediations and other alternative dispute resolution proceedings.

Mrs. Rubenstein also provides ongoing employment advice to businesses and organizations to implement effective employment manuals, policies and procedures. She conducts on-site management and supervisor training to help companies limit their liability. Mrs. Rubenstein frequently performs sensitive and discrete investigations related to claims and charges filed against high level company officials.

ABOUT OFFIT KURMAN

Offit Kurman is one of the fastest-growing, full-service law firms in the Mid-Atlantic region. With over 135 attorneys offering a comprehensive range of services in virtually every legal category, the firm is well positioned to meet the needs of dynamic businesses and the people who own and operate them. Our eleven offices serve individual and corporate clients in the Virginia, Washington, DC, Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York City. At Offit Kurman, we are our clients’ most trusted legal advisors, professionals who help maximize and protect business value and personal wealth. In every interaction, we consistently maintain our clients’ confidence by remaining focused on furthering their objectives and achieving their goals in an efficient manner. Trust, knowledge, confidence—in a partner, that’s perfect.

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