Title 14. Emergency Management — Subtitle 9. Compulsory Work During State of War
Statutes in effect as of October 1, 2026.
Md. Code Ann., Pub. Safety § 14-901 (2026)
Title 14. Emergency Management
Subtitle 9. Compulsory Work During State of War
§ 14–901LinkCopy Citation
This subtitle does not apply to:
(1)
students;
(2)
individuals who are preparing themselves to engage in trade or industrial pursuits;
(3)
individuals who are temporarily unemployed because of differences with their employers; and
(4)
individuals who are engaged or employed in a seasonal business, trade, or occupation in Baltimore City or Allegany County.
Md. Code Ann., Pub. Safety § 14-902 (2026)
Title 14. Emergency Management
Subtitle 9. Compulsory Work During State of War
§ 14–902LinkCopy Citation
To carry out this subtitle, the Governor may appoint or employ assistants and use any available and appropriate agencies.
Md. Code Ann., Pub. Safety § 14-903 (2026)
Title 14. Emergency Management
Subtitle 9. Compulsory Work During State of War
§ 14–903LinkCopy Citation
(a)
(1)
The Governor by proclamation may require that each able-bodied individual in the State between 18 and 50 years old, inclusive, who is not regularly or continuously employed or engaged in a lawful and useful business, occupation, trade, or profession immediately register for work under this subtitle.
(2)
The Governor may require registration for work under paragraph (1) of this subsection if the Governor determines that because of a state of war:
(i)
it is necessary for the protection and welfare of the people of the State that those individuals work in agricultural, industrial, or other occupations carried on by the State, a county, or a private employer;
(ii)
the occupations specified in item (i) of this paragraph are essential for the protection and welfare of the people of the State and the United States; and
(iii)
the occupations specified in item (i) of this paragraph cannot be carried on as required for the protection and welfare of the people of this State and the United States without resort to this subtitle.
(b)
Individuals who are self-supporting because of income or ownership of property and individuals who are supported by others shall be required to register under this subtitle.
(c)
(1)
Each individual required to register under this section shall register with the clerk of the circuit court of the county in which the individual resides.
(2)
The individual shall provide to the clerk the individual’s name, address, age, and any other information that the Governor requires.
(d)
On request of the Governor, the clerk of the circuit court shall provide the Governor with the information obtained under subsection (c)(2) of this section.
Md. Code Ann., Pub. Safety § 14-904 (2026)
Title 14. Emergency Management
Subtitle 9. Compulsory Work During State of War
§ 14–904LinkCopy Citation
(a)
The Governor shall assign or cause to be assigned and, if necessary, reassign or cause to be reassigned, for a period not exceeding 6 continuous months for each individual at one time, individuals who have registered under § 14-903 of this subtitle to the occupations described in § 14-903(a) of this subtitle if the employers accept the services of these individuals.
(b)
Each individual assigned to work under subsection (a) of this section shall be physically able to perform the work to which the individual is assigned.
(c)
(1)
In determining the duration and nature of the work to which an individual is assigned, the Governor shall consider the age, physical condition, and any other appropriate circumstances of the individual.
(2)
An individual may not be required to work under this subtitle a greater number of hours per day than lawfully constitutes a day’s work in the occupation to which the individual is assigned.
Md. Code Ann., Pub. Safety § 14-905 (2026)
Title 14. Emergency Management
Subtitle 9. Compulsory Work During State of War
§ 14–905LinkCopy Citation
As soon as the Governor issues a proclamation under § 14-903 of this subtitle, the Governor shall prepare and publish rules and regulations to govern the assignment of individuals to work under this subtitle that:
(1)
ensure that all individuals similarly situated shall be treated alike to the extent possible; and
(2)
make allowances for the age, physical condition, and other appropriate circumstances of individuals assigned to work under this subtitle.
Md. Code Ann., Pub. Safety § 14-906 (2026)
Title 14. Emergency Management
Subtitle 9. Compulsory Work During State of War
§ 14–906LinkCopy Citation
(a)
Each individual required to work under this subtitle is entitled to compensation not less than the compensation paid to others for the same work.
(b)
If an individual is assigned to work for a unit of the State, the compensation of the individual shall be paid by the unit out of the appropriation made to it by the State.
(c)
If an individual is assigned to work for a county, the compensation of the individual shall be paid by the county.
(d)
(1)
If an individual is assigned to work for a private employer, the compensation of the individual shall be paid by the private employer.
(2)
Each private employer shall execute a bond to the State in the penalty and with the surety that the Governor approves, conditioned to guarantee the payment of compensation due to individuals assigned to work for the private employer.
(3)
(i)
If a private employer fails to pay the compensation due to an individual under this subsection, the compensation shall be paid by the State.
(ii)
If money is appropriated for the purpose specified in subparagraph (i) of this paragraph:
(1)
payment shall be made on the order of the executive committee of the Maryland Council of Defense with the approval of the Governor;
(2)
the order shall be directed to the Comptroller; and
(3)
the Comptroller shall draw a warrant on the Treasurer for the amount of payment as provided by law.
(4)
If the State compensates an individual under this subsection, the employer’s bond shall be in default and shall be put into suit by the State.
Md. Code Ann., Pub. Safety § 14-907 (2026)
Title 14. Emergency Management
Subtitle 9. Compulsory Work During State of War
§ 14–907LinkCopy Citation
(a)
An individual may not fail to register under this subtitle.
(b)
An individual who violates subsection (a) of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to a fine not exceeding $50.
(c)
After the Governor issues a proclamation under this subtitle, the county sheriffs, the police department of Baltimore City, and any other officer of the State, a county, or municipal corporation charged with enforcing the law shall:
(1)
seek diligently the names and addresses of able-bodied individuals within their respective jurisdictions who are between 18 and 50 years old, inclusive, and not regularly or continuously employed or engaged in a lawful and useful occupation and who have failed to register under this subtitle; and
(2)
obtain criminal summonses or warrants from a District Court commissioner for the arrest of individuals described in item (1) of this subsection.
(d)
The District Court shall send the name of each individual convicted of failing to register and the information specified in subsection (c)(1) of this section to the clerk of the circuit court of the county in which the individual resides.
(e)
The circuit court clerks shall register each individual convicted of failing to register under this subtitle and report the registration to the Governor in accordance with § 14-903 of this subtitle.
(f)
The Governor shall assign each individual registered under subsection (e) of this section to work as provided in § 14-904 of this subtitle.
Md. Code Ann., Pub. Safety § 14-908 (2026)
Title 14. Emergency Management
Subtitle 9. Compulsory Work During State of War
§ 14–908LinkCopy Citation
(a)
An individual may not fail to do the work assigned to the individual unless the individual becomes regularly or continuously employed in a business, occupation, profession, or trade.
(b)
A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 6 months or a fine not exceeding $500 or both.