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Bill

HB 237

Commercial Law - Earned Wage Access - Revisions

2026 Regular Session

Maryland bill revises earned wage access regulations, modifying rules for how workers and employers access portions of earned wages before payday.

Hearing 2/03 at 1:30 p.m.
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 237

Legislative bill overview

HB 237 revises Maryland's commercial law governing earned wage access (EWA) programs, which allow employees to access portions of their earned wages before the standard paycheck. The bill modifies existing regulations and requirements for companies offering these services to workers.

Why is this important

Earned wage access has grown significantly as an alternative to payday loans and overdraft fees, affecting hundreds of thousands of workers nationwide. How Maryland regulates these services directly impacts worker protections, employer liability, and the financial health of low-income employees in the state.

Potential points of contention

  • Fee structures and transparency: Determining what fees EWA providers can charge and how clearly these must be disclosed to workers, balancing accessibility against consumer protection
  • Employer involvement and liability: Questions about what responsibility employers bear for recommending or facilitating EWA services, and whether they should profit from these arrangements
  • Consumer protection standards: Whether existing regulations adequately prevent predatory practices or if stronger safeguards are needed to protect vulnerable workers from debt cycles

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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