Signed by Governor Martin O'Malley

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to repass a bill, after having concurred with Senate amendments thereto, that increases the minimum wage, effective January 1, 2015.

Highlights:

• Increases the state hourly minimum wage of $7.25 to the following amounts (Sec. 1):
• $8.00 beginning January 1, 2015;
• $8.25 beginning July 1, 2015;
• $8.75 beginning July 1, 2016; 
• $9.25 beginning July 1, 2017; and
• $10.10 beginning July 1, 2018.

• Authorizes an employer to pay an employee 85 percent of the state minimum wage for the first 6 months of employment, provided the employee is under 20 years of age (Sec. 1).

• Authorizes an amusement park or recreational establishment to pay an employee the greater of 85 percent of the state minimum wage or $7.25 under the following circumstances (Sec. 1):
• The park or establishment operates no more than 7 months in a calendar year; or
• The average receipts of the park or establishment for the any 6 months of the preceding calendar year do not exceed one-third of the average receipts for the other 6 months.

• Specifies that the minimum wage for an employee who regularly receives more than $30 per month in tips may not exceed 50 percent of the minimum wage under this bill minus $3.63 (Sec. 1).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that increases the minimum wage, effective January 1, 2015.

Highlights:

• Increases the state hourly minimum wage of $7.25 to the following amounts (Sec. 1):
• $8.00 beginning January 1, 2015;
• $8.25 beginning July 1, 2015;
• $8.75 beginning July 1, 2016; 
• $9.25 beginning July 1, 2017; and
• $10.10 beginning July 1, 2018.

• Authorizes an employer to pay an employee 85 percent of the state minimum wage for the first 6 months of employment, provided the employee is under 20 years of age (Sec. 1).

• Authorizes an amusement park or recreational establishment to pay an employee the greater of 85 percent of the state minimum wage or $7.25 under the following circumstances (Sec. 1):
• The park or establishment operates no more than 7 months in a calendar year; or
• The average receipts of the park or establishment for the any 6 months of the preceding calendar year do not exceed one-third of the average receipts for the other 6 months.

• Specifies that the minimum wage for an employee who regularly receives more than $30 per month in tips may not exceed 50 percent of the minimum wage under this bill minus $3.63 (Sec. 1).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that increases the minimum wage, effective January 1, 2015.

Highlights:

• Increases the state minimum wage from $7.25 per hour to $8.20 per hour, effective January 1, 2015 (Sec. 1).

• Increases the state minimum wage from $8.20 per hour to $9.15 per hour, effective January 1, 2016 (Sec. 1).

• Increases the state minimum wage from $9.15 per hour to $10.10 per hour, effective January 1, 2017 (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that an amusement or recreational establishment, including a swimming pool, is subject to the provisions of this bill only if the following criteria is met (Sec. 1):
• The employer operates for no more than 7 months in a calendar year; 
• The employer has average receipts for any 6 months during the preceding calendar year that do not exceed one-third of the average receipts for the other 6 months;
• The employee is not subject to federal minimum wage requirements.

Full Bill Text