Signed by Governor Martin O'Malley

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that requires certain retail employers to provide shift breaks for their employees, beginning March 1, 2011.

Highlights:

-Requires an employer to offer shift breaks of 15 minutes to employees that work continuously for 4-6 hours, and breaks of 30 minutes to employees that work continuously for more than 6 hours (Sec. 1). -Requires an employer to offer additional shift breaks of 15 minutes, if an employee works continuously for 8 hours in a single shift, for every additional 4 hours they work (Sec. 1). -Defines an "employer" as an individual that owns a retail business with 50 or more employees (Sec. 1). -Authorizes the Commissioner of Labor and Industry to investigate employers that violate the provisions of the bill and to bring legal action against them if necessary (Sec. 1). -Specifies that the bill is not applicable to entities including, but not limited to, the following (Sec. 1):

-State, county, or local governments; -Corporate offices; or -Employees already covered by employment policies that guarantee shift breaks greater than or equal to those included in the bill.

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that requires certain retail employers to provide shift breaks for their employees, beginning March 1, 2011.

Highlights:

-Requires an employer to offer shift breaks of 15 minutes to employees that work continuously for 4-6 hours, and breaks of 30 minutes to employees that work continuously for more than 6 hours (Sec. 1). -Requires an employer to offer additional shift breaks of 15 minutes, if an employee works continuously for 8 hours in a single shift, for every additional 4 hours they work (Sec. 1). -Defines an "employer" as an individual that owns a retail business with 50 or more employees (Sec. 1). -Authorizes the Commissioner of Labor and Industry to investigate employers that violate the provisions of the bill and to bring legal action against them if necessary (Sec. 1). -Specifies that the bill is not applicable to entities including, but not limited to, the following (Sec. 1):

-State, county, or local governments; -Corporate offices; or -Employees already covered by employment policies that guarantee shift breaks greater than or equal to those included in the bill.

Full Bill Text