<section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="22-101" future_version_removed="true" title_number="22" title_name="Public Employee Relations" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Definitions; General Provisions"> <level label="a"> <text>In this title the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>“Board” means the Public Employee Relations Board.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>Unless specifically provided otherwise, “day” means a calendar day.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>“Employee organization” means a labor organization in which public employees participate and that has as one of its primary purposes representing public employees.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <text>“Exclusive representative” means an employee organization that has been certified by the Board as an exclusive representative under Subtitle 4 of this title.</text> </level> <level label="f"> <text>“Interested employee organization” means:</text> <level label="1"> <text>an employee organization already representing employees in a bargaining unit; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>a petitioner who has met the showing of interest requirement under § 22–402 of this title.</text> </level> </level> <level label="g"> <text>“Lockout” means action taken by a public employer to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>interrupt or prevent the continuity of the employees’ usual work for the purpose and with the intent of coercing the employees into relinquishing rights guaranteed by this title; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>bring economic pressure on employees for the purpose of securing the agreement of their executive representative to collective bargaining agreement terms.</text> </level> </level> <level label="h"> <text>“Public employee” means an individual who holds a position by appointment or employment in the service of a public employer with collective bargaining rights under Title 3 of the State Personnel and Pensions Article or Title 6, Subtitle 4 or 5 or Title 16, Subtitle 7 of the Education Article.</text> </level> <level label="i"> <text>“Public employer” means:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the State, including any unit, department, or instrumentality of the State;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>a community college listed under § 16–702(b) of the Education Article; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>a county board of education or the Baltimore City Board of School Commissioners.</text> </level> </level> <level label="j"> <level label="1"> <text>“Showing of interest form” means a written statement from a public employee who wishes to be represented by a petitioning employee organization for the purpose of collective bargaining.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“Showing of interest form” includes:</text> <level label="i"> <text>a union authorization card; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>a union membership card.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="k"> <level label="1"> <text>“Strike” means any concerted action to impede the full and proper performance of employment duties in order to induce, influence, coerce, or enforce demands for a change in wages, hours, terms, or other conditions of employment.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“Strike” includes a total or partial:</text> <level label="i"> <text>refusal or failure to report to work;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>refusal or failure to perform employment duties;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>withdrawal from work;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>work stoppage; or</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>work slowdown.</text> </level> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="22-102" title_number="22" title_name="Public Employee Relations" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Definitions; General Provisions"> <level label="a"> <text>It is the intent of the General Assembly that it is the public policy of the State to encourage and protect the exercise by public sector employees of the full freedom of association, self–organization, and designation of representatives of their own choosing, for the purpose of negotiating the terms and conditions of their employment or other mutual aid or protection.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>For the advancement of the rights described under subsection (a) of this section and to promote labor peace and the orderly and constructive relationships between all public employers and their employees, the General Assembly has determined that the overall policy may best be accomplished by:</text> <level label="1"> <text>granting to public employees the right to organize and choose freely their representatives;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>requiring public employers to negotiate and bargain with employee organizations representing public employees and to enter into written agreements evidencing the result of the bargaining; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>establishing procedures to provide for the protection of the rights of public employees, the public employers, and the public at large.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The law of the State with respect to the labor rights of public sector employees is intended to follow the rights of employees under the federal National Labor Relations Act.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="22-103" title_number="22" title_name="Public Employee Relations" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Definitions; General Provisions"> <text>Decisions of the federal National Labor Relations Board may be afforded persuasive weight in any interpretation of this title.</text> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="22-201" title_number="22" title_name="Public Employee Relations" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Rights and Duties of Employees, Public Employers, and Exclusive Representatives"> <level label="a"> <text>Employees of a public employer have the right to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>engage in concerted activities for the purposes of mutual aid or protection; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>refrain from any or all activities described under item (1) of this subsection.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Public employees have the right to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>form, join and participate in, or to refrain from forming, joining, or participating in, any employee organization of their own choosing;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>be represented by employee organizations, to negotiate collectively with their public employers in the determination of their terms and conditions of employment, and the administration of grievances arising thereunder; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>be fairly represented by their exclusive representative, if any, in collective bargaining.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>Except as provided in subsection (d) of this section, an employee organization may establish reasonable:</text> <level label="1"> <text>restrictions as to who may join; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>provisions for the dismissal of individuals from membership.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>An employee organization may not establish restrictions and provisions under subsection (c) of this section that discriminate with regard to the terms or conditions of membership because of:</text> <level label="1"> <text>age;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>ancestry;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>color;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>creed;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>gender identity;</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>marital status;</text> </level> <level label="7"> <text>mental or physical disability;</text> </level> <level label="8"> <text>national origin;</text> </level> <level label="9"> <text>race;</text> </level> <level label="10"> <text>religious affiliation, belief, or opinion;</text> </level> <level label="11"> <text>sex; or</text> </level> <level label="12"> <text>sexual orientation.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="22-202" title_number="22" title_name="Public Employee Relations" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Rights and Duties of Employees, Public Employers, and Exclusive Representatives"> <text>A public employer shall extend to an exclusive representative the right to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>represent public employees in:</text> <level label="i"> <text>negotiations notwithstanding the existence of an agreement with an employee organization that is no longer certified or recognized; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the settlement of grievances;</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <level label="i"> <text>on request, information from a public employer relevant to the administration and negotiation of an agreement or the proper performance of the employee organization’s duties as the public employees’ representative; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>have the information requested under item (i) of this item made available as soon as practicable, but not later than 30 days after the public employer receives the request; and</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>communicate with its members and elected officials, in a manner and at times at its discretion, concerning issues relevant to the administration and negotiation of an agreement.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="22-203" title_number="22" title_name="Public Employee Relations" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Rights and Duties of Employees, Public Employers, and Exclusive Representatives"> <level label="a"> <text>On written request of an exclusive representative for each employee in the bargaining unit represented by the exclusive representative, the public employer, as appropriate, shall provide the exclusive representative with the employee’s:</text> <level label="1"> <text>name;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>position classification;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>unit;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>home and work site addresses where the employee receives interoffice or United States mail;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>home and work site telephone numbers;</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>work e–mail address; and</text> </level> <level label="7"> <text>position identification number.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The public employer, as appropriate, shall provide the exclusive representative with the requested information in a searchable and analyzable electronic format.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>Names or lists of employees provided to the Board in connection with an election under this title are not subject to disclosure in accordance with Title 4 of the General Provisions Article.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>Except as provided in paragraphs (2) and (3) of this subsection, an exclusive representative shall consider the information that it receives under this section as confidential and may not release the information to any person.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>An exclusive representative may authorize third party contractors to use the information that it receives under this section, as directed by the exclusive representative, to carry out the exclusive representative’s statutory duties under this title.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>An exclusive representative or an authorized third party contractor may use the information that it receives under this section for the purpose of maintaining or increasing employee membership in an employee organization.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>On written request of an employee, an exclusive representative shall withhold further communication with the employee unless otherwise required by law or the written request is revoked by the employee.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="22-204" title_number="22" title_name="Public Employee Relations" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Rights and Duties of Employees, Public Employers, and Exclusive Representatives"> <level label="a"> <text>Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, a public employer has the right to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>determine how the statutory mandate and goals of the public employer, including the functions and programs of the public employer, its overall budget, and its organizational structure, are to be carried out; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>direct employees of the public employer.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The State, through its appropriate officers and employees, has the right to:</text> <level label="1"> <level label="i"> <text>determine the mission, budget, organization, numbers, types and grades of employees assigned, the work projects, tours of duty, methods, means, and personnel by which its operations are to be conducted, technology needed, internal security practices, and relocation of its facilities; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>maintain and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of governmental operations;</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>determine the:</text> <level label="i"> <text>services to be rendered, operations to be performed, and technology to be used; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>overall methods, processes, means, and classes of work or personnel by which governmental operations are to be conducted;</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>hire, direct, supervise, and assign employees;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <level label="i"> <text>promote, demote, discipline, discharge, retain, and lay off employees; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>terminate employment because of lack of funds, lack of work, under conditions where the employer determines continued work would be inefficient or nonproductive, or for other legitimate reasons;</text> </level> </level> <level label="5"> <text>set the qualifications of employees for appointment and promotion, and set standards of conduct;</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>adopt State or Department rules, regulations, or procedures;</text> </level> <level label="7"> <text>provide a system of merit employment according to the standard of business efficiency; and</text> </level> <level label="8"> <text>take actions not otherwise specified in this section to carry out the mission of the employer.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="22-205" title_number="22" title_name="Public Employee Relations" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Rights and Duties of Employees, Public Employers, and Exclusive Representatives"> <level label="a"> <text>A public employer is prohibited from engaging in a lockout.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Public employees are prohibited from engaging in a strike.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>A public employer or an employee organization may not interfere with, intimidate, restrain, coerce, or discriminate against a public employee because the public employee exercises rights granted under this title.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="22-206" title_number="22" title_name="Public Employee Relations" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Rights and Duties of Employees, Public Employers, and Exclusive Representatives"> <level label="a"> <text>A public employer and its officers, employees, agents, or representatives are prohibited from engaging in any unfair labor practice, including:</text> <level label="1"> <text>interfering with, restraining, or coercing employees in the exercise of their rights under this title;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>dominating, interfering with, contributing financial or other support to, or assisting in the formation, existence, or administration of any employee organization;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>granting administrative leave to employees to attend employer sponsored or supported meetings or events relating to an election under Subtitle 4 of this title, unless the public employer grants employees at least the same amount of administrative leave to attend labor organization sponsored or supported meetings or employee meetings;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>discriminating in hiring, tenure, or any term or condition of employment to encourage or discourage membership in an employee organization;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>discharging or discriminating against an employee because of the signing or filing of an affidavit, petition, or complaint, or giving information or testimony in connection with matters under this title;</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>failing to provide all employee organizations involved in an election the same rights of access as required by the Board through regulation;</text> </level> <level label="7"> <text>engaging in surveillance of union activities;</text> </level> <level label="8"> <text>refusing to bargain in good faith;</text> </level> <level label="9"> <text>failing to meet an established negotiation deadline, unless a written agreement between the public employer and the exclusive representative provides otherwise;</text> </level> <level label="10"> <text>engaging in a lockout; or</text> </level> <level label="11"> <text>spending public money to contract with, using public resources to contract with, or providing assistance to an individual or group for a negative campaign against efforts by employees of a public employer or an employee organization to:</text> <level label="i"> <text>gain or retain collective bargaining rights; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>certify an employee organization as an exclusive representative.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Employee organizations and their agents or representatives are prohibited from engaging in any unfair labor practice, including:</text> <level label="1"> <text>interfering with, restraining, or coercing employees in the exercise of their rights under this title;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>causing or attempting to cause a public employer to discriminate in hiring, tenure, or any term or condition of employment to encourage or discourage membership in an employee organization;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>engaging in, inducing, or encouraging any person to engage in a strike;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>interfering with the statutory duties of the State or a public employer;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>refusing to bargain in good faith; or</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>not fairly representing employees in collective bargaining or in any other matter in which the employee organization has the duty of fair representation.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="22-207" title_number="22" title_name="Public Employee Relations" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Rights and Duties of Employees, Public Employers, and Exclusive Representatives"> <level label="a"> <text>Each exclusive representative has the right to communicate with the employees that it represents.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>Public employers shall allow an exclusive representative to:</text> <level label="i"> <text>meet with a new employee in a bargaining unit represented by the exclusive representative within the first full pay period of the new employee’s start date; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>attend and participate in a new employee program that includes one or more employees who are in a bargaining unit represented by the exclusive representative.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The new employee program described in paragraph (1)(ii) of this subsection may be a new employee orientation, training, or other program that the public employer and an exclusive representative negotiate in accordance with Title 6, Subtitle 4 or 5 of the Education Article, Title 16, Subtitle 7 of the Education Article, or Title 3 of the State Personnel and Pensions Article.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Except as provided in paragraph (5) of this subsection, the exclusive representative shall be allowed at least 30 minutes to meet with the new employee or to collectively address all new employees in attendance during a new employee program.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <level label="i"> <text>Except as provided in subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph, a meeting between the new employee and the exclusive representative shall be in person.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>An exclusive representative may choose to meet with a new employee by video or similar technology.</text> </level> </level> <level label="5"> <text>A public employer and an exclusive representative may negotiate a period of time that is more than 30 minutes in accordance with Title 6, Subtitle 4 or 5 of the Education Article, Title 16, Subtitle 7 of the Education Article, or Title 3 of the State Personnel and Pensions Article.</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>A public employer:</text> <level label="i"> <text>shall encourage an employee to meet with the exclusive representative or attend the portion of a new employee program designated for an exclusive representative to address new employees; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>may not require an employee to meet with an exclusive representative or attend the portion of a new employee program designated for an exclusive representative to address new employees if the employee objects to attending.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection and subject to paragraph (3) of this subsection, a public employer shall provide the exclusive representative at least 10 days’ notice of the start date of a new employee in a bargaining unit represented by the exclusive representative.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A public employer may provide the exclusive representative with less than 10 days’ notice if there is an urgent need critical to the employer that was not reasonably foreseeable.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The notice required under paragraph (1) of this subsection shall:</text> <level label="i"> <text>be provided electronically to the local president or exclusive representative designee within 5 days of the start of any check–in event the employer obligates the employee to attend;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>except as provided in item (iii) of this paragraph, include the new employee’s name, unit, and all employee identification numbers, including Workday numbers;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>exclude the new employee’s Social Security number; and</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>be considered confidential by an exclusive representative.</text> </level> </level> <level label="4"> <level label="i"> <text>Except as provided in subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph, an exclusive representative may not disclose the information in a notice.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The exclusive representative may authorize a third–party contractor to use the information in a notice, as directed by the exclusive representative, to fulfill the exclusive representative’s statutory duties.</text> </level> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="22-208" title_number="22" title_name="Public Employee Relations" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Rights and Duties of Employees, Public Employers, and Exclusive Representatives"> <text>An employee organization certified as the exclusive representative shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>serve as the sole and exclusive bargaining agent for all employees in the bargaining unit;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>represent fairly and without discrimination all employees in the bargaining unit, whether or not the employees are members of the employee organization or are paying dues or other contributions to it or participating in its affairs; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>promptly file with the Board all changes and amendments to the organization’s governing documents.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="22-209" title_number="22" title_name="Public Employee Relations" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Rights and Duties of Employees, Public Employers, and Exclusive Representatives"> <level label="a"> <text>An employee organization is entitled to membership dues deduction, on presentation by the employee organization of:</text> <level label="1"> <text>dues deduction authorization cards;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>electronic membership application; or</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>other method by which an employee has manifested assent for membership dues deduction.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>A public employer shall commence making dues deductions as soon as practicable, but not later than 30 days after receiving the proof presented under subsection (a) of this section.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A public employer shall transmit membership dues to the employee organization within 30 days after the deductions are made.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>A public employer shall accept an authorization to deduct from the salary of a public employee an amount for the payment of dues in any format authorized under § 21–106 of the Commercial Law Article.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>This section may not be construed to require an employee to become a member of an employee organization.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>The right of an employee organization to membership dues deduction shall remain in full force and effect until:</text> <level label="i"> <text>an employee revokes membership in accordance with a collective bargaining agreement or the membership application;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the employee cancels membership dues deduction under § 2–403 of the State Personnel and Pensions Article; or</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, the employee is no longer employed by the public employer.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>If within a period of 1 year, the employee is employed by the same public employer in a position represented by the same exclusive representative, the right to membership dues deduction shall be automatically reinstated.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>If the employee who has consented to dues deduction is either removed from a public employer’s payroll or otherwise placed on an involuntary or voluntary leave of absence, whether paid or unpaid, the public employee’s membership dues deduction authorization shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>remain effective; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>be continued on the public employee’s return to the payroll or restoration to active employment from a leave of absence.</text> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <text>If an authorization for a public employer to make membership dues deduction was in effect on June 30, 2023:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the right of the employee organization to membership dues deduction shall continue unless the right is terminated under subsection (d) of this section; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the employee organization may not be required to present new authorization under subsection (a) of this section.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="22-210" title_number="22" title_name="Public Employee Relations" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Rights and Duties of Employees, Public Employers, and Exclusive Representatives"> <level label="a"> <text>A public employer or its officers, or an agent of the public employer, may not spend public money, use public resources, or provide assistance to an individual or group for a negative campaign against efforts by employees of a public employer or an employee organization to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>gain or retain collective bargaining rights; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>certify an employee organization as an exclusive representative.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>Within 7 days after a valid election has been scheduled under Subtitle 4 of this title, the public employer shall allow public employees and employee organizations to access the employer’s property and facilities, including grounds, rooms, bulletin boards, interoffice mail, and other common areas for campaign activities for the election.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The public employer may not:</text> <level label="i"> <text>limit the amount of time a public employee has access to the public employer’s property and facilities during an election under this section; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>alter or revise existing rules or regulations to unfairly limit or prohibit public employees or employee organizations from exercising their rights under this title.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>This subsection may not be construed to allow campaign activities to interfere with a public employer’s operations.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="22-2A-01" future_version_removed="true" title_number="22" title_name="Public Employee Relations" subtitle_number="2A" /> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="22-2A-02" future_version_removed="true" title_number="22" title_name="Public Employee Relations" subtitle_number="2A" /> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="22-2A-03" future_version_removed="true" title_number="22" title_name="Public Employee Relations" subtitle_number="2A" /> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="22-2A-04" future_version_removed="true" title_number="22" title_name="Public Employee Relations" subtitle_number="2A" /> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="22-301" title_number="22" title_name="Public Employee Relations" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Public Employee Relations Board"> <text>There is a Public Employee Relations Board established as an independent unit of State government.</text> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="22-302" title_number="22" title_name="Public Employee Relations" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Public Employee Relations Board"> <level label="a"> <text>The Board consists of the following five members:</text> <level label="1"> <text>a chair appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate, representing the public;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>two members chosen from a list of candidates submitted by each exclusive representative, appointed by the Governor with due regard for any candidates who have majority or plurality support from exclusive representatives, with the advice and consent of the Senate; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>two members chosen from a list of candidates submitted by public employers, appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Each member of the Board:</text> <level label="1"> <text>must have knowledge of and experience with labor law, labor mediation, or labor negotiations;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>may not be officers or employees of a public employer, or of an employee organization; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>must be known for objective and independent judgment.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>Before taking office, each member shall take the oath required by Article I, § 9 of the Maryland Constitution.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>The term of a member is 6 years.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The terms of members are staggered as required by the terms provided for members of the Board on July 1, 2023.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>A vacancy shall be filled for an unexpired term in the same manner as an original appointment.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>At the end of a term, a member continues to serve until a successor is appointed and qualifies.</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>A member who is appointed after a term has begun serves only for the rest of the term and until a successor is appointed and qualifies.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>The Governor may remove a member only for incompetence or misconduct.</text> </level> <level label="f"> <text>In making appointments to the Board, the Governor shall ensure, to the extent practicable, that the ratio of male to female members and the racial makeup of the Board is reflective of the general population of the State.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="22-303" title_number="22" title_name="Public Employee Relations" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Public Employee Relations Board"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>A majority of the voting members shall constitute a quorum for:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the transaction of any business; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the exercise of any power or the performance of any duty authorized or imposed by law.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Formal action may not be taken by the Board without the approval of a majority of the voting members of the Board.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The Board shall set the times and places of its meetings, but shall meet at least once per month.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>An appointed member of the Board is entitled to:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the compensation provided in the State budget; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>reimbursement for expenses under the Standard State Travel Regulations as provided in the State budget.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The chair of the Board shall give full time to the duties of chair and is entitled to a salary as provided in the State budget.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="22-304" title_number="22" title_name="Public Employee Relations" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Public Employee Relations Board"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>The Board shall appoint an Executive Director of the Board.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The Executive Director:</text> <level label="i"> <text>is responsible to and serves at the pleasure of the Board;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>must have knowledge of and experience with labor issues; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>is entitled to the salary provided in the State budget.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The Executive Director shall perform the duties that the Board assigns, including:</text> <level label="1"> <text>operating the office of the Board; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>keeping the official records of the Board.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The Executive Director may hire any staff necessary to carry out the provisions of this title.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="22-305" title_number="22" title_name="Public Employee Relations" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Public Employee Relations Board"> <level label="a"> <text>The Board shall appoint up to three deputy directors.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The deputy directors:</text> <level label="1"> <text>are responsible to and serve at the pleasure of the Board;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>must have knowledge of and experience with labor issues;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>must be attorneys who:</text> <level label="i"> <text>are licensed by the State at the time of appointment; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>will become licensed by the State within 12 months after the date of appointment; and</text> </level> </level> <level label="4"> <text>are entitled to the salary provided in the State budget.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="22-306" title_number="22" title_name="Public Employee Relations" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Public Employee Relations Board"> <level label="a"> <text>The Board is responsible for administering and enforcing provisions of:</text> <level label="1"> <text>this title;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Title 6, Subtitles 4 and 5 of the Education Article;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Title 16, Subtitle 7 of the Education Article; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Title 3 of the State Personnel and Pensions Article.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>In addition to any other powers or duties provided for elsewhere in this title, Title 6, Subtitle 4 or 5 of the Education Article, Title 16, Subtitle 7 of the Education Article, and Title 3 of the State Personnel and Pensions Article, the Board may:</text> <level label="1"> <text>establish procedures for, supervise the conduct of, and resolve disputes about elections for exclusive representatives;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>establish procedures for and resolve disputes about petitions for bargaining unit clarification;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>establish procedures for and resolve disputes about petitions and elections for decertification of an exclusive representative;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>investigate and take appropriate action in response to charges of unfair labor practices, including strikes and lockouts;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>establish procedures for and resolve disputes about the negotiability of bargaining subjects;</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>on application by an employee organization or public employer, determine that the applicant shall be designated as a joint public employer of public employees in an employer–employee bargaining unit determined in accordance with Subtitle 4 of this title when such determination would best effectuate the purposes of this subtitle; and</text> </level> <level label="7"> <text>resolve matters as provided in §§ 6–406, 6–507, and 16–707 of the Education Article.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The Board shall have broad discretion to take and order remedial actions when it finds that a party has committed an unfair labor practice, including the restoration of any right, pay, status, or benefit lost by a public employee or group of public employees, due to violations of this title.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>To enforce the provisions of this subtitle, the Board may:</text> <level label="1"> <text>issue subpoenas; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>administer oaths and affirmations, examine witnesses, and receive evidence.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <level label="1"> <text>Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, the Board shall adopt and enforce regulations, guidelines, and policies to carry out this title.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The Board may not adopt any regulation, guideline, or policy that:</text> <level label="i"> <text>unnecessarily delays the resolution of disputes over elections, unfair labor practices, or any other matter under this title; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>restricts or weakens the protections provided to public employees and employee organizations under this title or under regulations.</text> </level> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="22-307" title_number="22" title_name="Public Employee Relations" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Public Employee Relations Board"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>If a party has been charged with engaging in an unfair labor practice, a deputy director shall investigate the charge.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>If the Board, through the deputy director’s investigation, finds that probable cause exists to support the charge of an unfair labor practice, the Board shall:</text> <level label="i"> <text>issue a complaint against the party stated in the charge; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>not less than 15 days after issuing the complaint, issue a notice of a hearing before the Board or the Office of Administrative Hearings.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The Board may not issue a complaint under subsection (a)(2)(i) of this section if the unfair labor practice occurred more than 6 months before the filing of the charge.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>The deputy directors shall endeavor at all times to seek informal resolution of charges or complaints.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The Board and the deputy directors shall make all practical and reasonable efforts to resolve charges and complaints of unfair labor practices in a swift manner.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>For the purposes of examination and the right to copy, the Board and the deputy directors shall at all reasonable times have access to evidence of a person being investigated or proceeded against that relates to a matter under investigation or in question under this section.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <level label="1"> <text>If there is a charge of an unfair labor practice resulting from a party’s conduct in collective bargaining and that is alleged to have an effect on the course of collective bargaining:</text> <level label="i"> <text>a deputy director shall determine whether there is probable cause for the Board to issue a complaint;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>if the deputy director determines there is probable cause, the Board shall issue a complaint within 30 days after the filing of the charge; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>if a complaint is issued, the Board shall resolve the complaint and issue a final decision within 90 days after the filing of the charge.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The Board may accelerate the time to resolve charges and complaints in exigent circumstances under regulations adopted by the Board.</text> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <text>The deputy director shall provide relevant information gathered in the investigation of a charge of unfair labor practices to the Board.</text> </level> <level label="g"> <text>The charging party has the right to participate in any hearing before the Board or the Office of Administrative Hearings.</text> </level> <level label="h"> <text>The Board shall accept documents filed by e–mail.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="22-308" title_number="22" title_name="Public Employee Relations" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Public Employee Relations Board"> <level label="a"> <text>If a person fails to comply with an order issued by the Board, a member of the Board may petition the circuit court to order the person to comply with the Board’s order.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The Board may not be required to post bond in an action under subsection (a) of this section.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="22-309" title_number="22" title_name="Public Employee Relations" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Public Employee Relations Board"> <level label="a"> <text>The Board is not bound by any prior regulation, order, or action of the State Labor Relations Board, the Public School Labor Relations Board, or the State Higher Education Labor Relations Board, except for decisions regarding unit composition under § 22–403(c) of this title.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The Board is bound by prior opinions and decisions of a labor board listed under subsection (a) of this section.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>A prior order or action of a labor board listed under subsection (a) of this section or any other body may be considered for its persuasive value.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>The Board shall be bound by judicial orders regarding the scope of bargaining under Title 6, Subtitles 4 and 5 of the Education Article.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="22-401" title_number="22" title_name="Public Employee Relations" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Elections and Certification of Exclusive Representatives"> <level label="a"> <text>Except as otherwise provided in this subtitle, the Board shall conduct an election for an exclusive representative of a bargaining unit if:</text> <level label="1"> <text>a valid petition is filed in accordance with § 22–402 of this subtitle; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the bargaining unit involved in the petition is determined to be an appropriate bargaining unit under § 22–403 of this subtitle.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The Board may not conduct an election for an exclusive representative of a bargaining unit if the Board has conducted an election or certified an exclusive representative for that bargaining unit within the immediately preceding 12 months.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>An exclusive representative or a bargaining unit in existence on June 30, 2023:</text> <level label="i"> <text>shall continue without the requirement of an election and certification until a question concerning representation is raised under this title; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>until the Board finds the unit not to be appropriate after challenge by the public employer, a member of the unit, or an employee organization.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <level label="i"> <text>The appropriateness of the unit may not be challenged until the expiration of any collective bargaining agreement in effect on June 30, 2023.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The Board may not modify any bargaining unit determined under existing law.</text> </level> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="22-402" title_number="22" title_name="Public Employee Relations" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Elections and Certification of Exclusive Representatives"> <level label="a"> <text>A petition for the election of an exclusive representative of a bargaining unit may be filed with the Board by:</text> <level label="1"> <text>an employee organization seeking certification as an exclusive representative; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>an employee, a group of employees, or an employee organization seeking a new election to determine an exclusive representative.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A petition shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>contain the information the Board requires; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>be accompanied by showing of interest forms from 30% of the employees in the appropriate unit indicating their desire to be exclusively represented by the exclusive representative named in the petition for the purpose of collective bargaining.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>If the Board determines that a required showing of interest is not adequate, the Board:</text> <level label="1"> <text>shall allow at a minimum an additional 30 days for the petitioner to submit additional showing of interest forms after the petitioner is notified of the determination; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>may, for good cause, provide additional time to the petitioner to provide additional forms.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>If a petition is supported by more than 50% of the public employees in the bargaining unit, the public employer shall immediately recognize the employee organization as the exclusive representative and afford to the exclusive representative and its members all rights due under this title.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <level label="1"> <text>A petition filed under subsection (a) of this section shall include showing of interest forms provided to the Board from an employee organization.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The Board shall accept a showing of interest form whether or not the signatures on the form are electronic or handwritten.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <level label="i"> <text>For an election that is conducted to determine whether an exclusive representative should represent a unit, a showing of interest form is valid if the signatures were collected within the 18–month period immediately preceding the date on which a petition for the election is filed.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>For an election that is conducted to determine whether an exclusive representative should no longer represent a unit, a showing of interest form is valid if the signatures were collected within the 9–month period immediately preceding the date on which the petition for election is filed.</text> </level> </level> <level label="4"> <text>A showing of interest form may be used by a public employee for each public employer that employs the public employee.</text> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <level label="1"> <text>Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, a public employer shall provide to the Board and the employee organization an alphabetical list of public employees in each bargaining unit within 2 days after a petition for an election is filed.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The list required to be provided under paragraph (1) of this subsection shall:</text> <level label="i"> <text>include for each public employee on the payroll for the last pay period before a petition for election is filed, the public employee’s:</text> <level label="1"> <text>name;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>position classification;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>home and work site addresses where the employee receives interoffice or United States mail;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>home and work site telephone numbers;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>personal cell phone number; and</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>work e–mail address; and</text> </level> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>identify each public employee that should be excluded as an eligible voter with a statement explaining the reason for the exclusion.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>A public employer may not challenge the eligibility of a public employee’s vote in an election if the employer fails to explain as required under paragraph (2) of this subsection the reason for excluding a public employee under this subsection.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>On application by a public employer or an employee organization, the Board may determine that a public employer shall be designated as a joint public employer of a public employee within a bargaining unit under this subtitle when the designation would best effectuate the purposes of this title.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="22-403" title_number="22" title_name="Public Employee Relations" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Elections and Certification of Exclusive Representatives"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>Except as otherwise provided in this title, Title 6, Subtitle 4 or 5 of the Education Article, Title 16, Subtitle 7 of the Education Article, or Title 3 of the State Personnel and Pensions Article, the Board shall determine the appropriateness of each bargaining unit.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>If there is no dispute about the appropriateness of the establishment of the bargaining unit, the Board shall issue an order defining an appropriate bargaining unit.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>If there is a dispute about the appropriateness of the establishment of the bargaining unit, the Board shall:</text> <level label="i"> <text>conduct a hearing; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>issue an order defining an appropriate bargaining unit.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>If the appropriate bargaining unit as determined by the Board differs from the bargaining unit described in the petition, the Board may:</text> <level label="1"> <text>dismiss the petition; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>direct an election in the appropriate bargaining unit if at least 30% of the signatures included in the petition are of employees in the appropriate bargaining unit.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>A bargaining unit may consist only of public employees.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="22-404" title_number="22" title_name="Public Employee Relations" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Elections and Certification of Exclusive Representatives"> <text>Each employee organization that seeks certification as an exclusive representative shall file with the Board:</text> <level label="1"> <text>a copy of the employee organization’s governing documents that:</text> <level label="i"> <text>give individual members the right to participate in activities of the organization;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>require periodic elections by secret ballot that are conducted with recognized safeguards to ensure the equal rights of all members to nominate, seek office, and vote in the elections; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>direct full and accurate accounting of all income and expenses using standard accounting methods; and</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>a certification that the employee organization accepts members without regard to any characteristic listed in § 22–201(d) of this title.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="22-405" title_number="22" title_name="Public Employee Relations" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Elections and Certification of Exclusive Representatives"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>Within 5 days after determining that a valid petition has been submitted under § 22–402 of this subtitle, the Board shall notify interested employee organizations of the pending election petition.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Within 10 days after determining that a valid petition has been submitted under § 22–402 of this subtitle, the public employer, as appropriate, shall make available to all interested employee organizations reasonable and equivalent means to communicate by mail and in person with each employee in the appropriate bargaining unit for the purpose of soliciting the employee’s vote in an election held under this section.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>An election shall be held in a bargaining unit within 90 days after the filing of a valid petition for election in the bargaining unit in accordance with guidelines established by the Board.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <level label="i"> <text>The Board shall conduct the election:</text> <level label="1"> <text>by secret ballot; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>subject to subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph, in whole or in part by in–person voting, mail, or an electronic voting system.</text> </level> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The Board may designate the time period for in–person voting only after consulting with the public employer and employee organizations on the ballot.</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <level label="1"> <text>The Board shall allow at least 10 days of voting for an election conducted by mail or an electronic voting system under subparagraph (i) of this paragraph, unless an employee organization on the ballot requests an extension.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>If the voting system is inoperable, the Board may extend the time period for voting.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <level label="i"> <text>An employee organization on a ballot may request a preferred method of voting at the time a petition for election is filed with the Board.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Except as provided in subparagraph (iii) of this paragraph, the Board shall designate the method of voting based on the requests of the employee organizations on the ballot.</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>If there is a dispute between two or more employee organizations on the ballot over the method of voting, the Board may designate the method of voting.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The Board shall place the following choices on the ballot:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the name of the exclusive representative, if any;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the name of the employee organization designated in the petition filed under § 22–402 of this subtitle with respect to an appropriate bargaining unit;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>the name of each employee organization designated in a petition filed with the Board, within 15 days of notice of the pending election petition, that includes the signatures of at least 10% of the employees in the appropriate bargaining unit; and</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>a provision for “no exclusive representative”.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>If none of the choices on a ballot receives a majority of the votes cast in an election, the Board shall conduct a runoff election between the choices that received the two highest number of votes in the election.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="22-406" title_number="22" title_name="Public Employee Relations" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Elections and Certification of Exclusive Representatives"> <level label="a"> <text>Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, the Board shall certify as exclusive representative the employee organization receiving the votes in an election from a majority of the employees voting in the election.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>After notice and an opportunity for a hearing, the Board may deny or revoke certification as exclusive representative of an employee organization for willful failure to comply with this title.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>Notwithstanding any other provision of this subtitle, the Board shall certify the employee organization as the exclusive representative without an election if:</text> <level label="1"> <text>a petition for an exclusive representative has been filed for a bargaining unit;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the Board finds that a majority of the employees in the bargaining unit have signed valid authorizations designating the employee organization as their exclusive representative; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>no other employee organization is currently certified or recognized as the exclusive representative of the bargaining unit.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="22-407" title_number="22" title_name="Public Employee Relations" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Elections and Certification of Exclusive Representatives"> <text>Names or lists of employees provided to the Board in connection with an election under this subtitle are not subject to disclosure in accordance with Title 4 of the General Provisions Article.</text> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="22-501" title_number="22" title_name="Public Employee Relations" subtitle_number="5" subtitle_name="Collective Bargaining"> <text>Representatives of public employers and exclusive representatives shall meet at reasonable times and engage in collective bargaining in good faith and to conclude a written memorandum of understanding or other negotiated agreement in accordance with Title 6, Subtitle 4 or 5 of the Education Article, Title 16, Subtitle 7 of the Education Article, or Title 3 of the State Personnel and Pensions Article.</text> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="22-601" title_number="22" title_name="Public Employee Relations" subtitle_number="6" subtitle_name="Short Title"> <text>This title may be cited as the Maryland Public Employee Relations Act.</text> </section>