Although many key questions remain to be resolved, the new living wage law will take effect for most state service contracts approved after October 1, 2007. Maryland Chamber Vice President of Government Affairs Ron Wineholt met this week with Tom Perez, Secretary of Labor, Licensing and Regulation and Ron DeJuliis, Commissioner of Labor and Industry to discuss their living wage implementation plans. Among the issues likely to be addressed by emergency regulation are:

• Determination of minimum wage rates ($11.30 or $8.50/hour) for services that could be performed anywhere in the state;
• Applicability of the law to services performed outside of Maryland;
• Reliance on an agency head’s initial wage rate determination; and
• Effective dates for CPI adjustments to wage rates.

Secretary Perez indicated no plans for future corrective legislation, but solicited the views of businesses as the Department drafts regulations. Click here for a bill summary. Contact Ron Wineholt for further information at rwineholt@mdchamber.org.