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HB 141

State Personnel - Collective Bargaining - Graduate Assistants

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Linda Foley

Extends collective bargaining rights to graduate assistants at Maryland state universities, allowing them to unionize and negotiate employment terms as public employees.

Approved by the Governor - Chapter 774
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Bill Summary · HB 141

Legislative bill overview

HB 141 would extend collective bargaining rights to graduate assistants employed by Maryland state universities, allowing them to organize and negotiate employment terms as a group. The bill treats graduate assistants as public employees eligible for union representation, similar to other state personnel classifications.

Why is this important

Graduate assistants perform teaching and research functions while pursuing advanced degrees, often with limited job protections or formal grievance procedures. This legislation directly affects thousands of graduate students across Maryland's university system and could influence labor standards at other state institutions nationwide, as graduate assistant unionization remains contested in higher education.

Potential points of contention

  • University operational costs and autonomy: Universities may argue that collective bargaining requirements increase administrative expenses and reduce flexibility in managing academic programs and research operations
  • Graduate student classification dispute: Some contend graduate assistants are primarily students receiving educational benefits rather than traditional employees, making standard labor law inapplicable
  • Impact on stipend levels and tuition support: Unclear whether negotiations would improve compensation or alter existing tuition remission packages that currently benefit graduate assistants
  • Precedent for other higher education workers: May create pressure to extend similar rights to other university personnel categories (postdocs, adjuncts), fundamentally restructuring higher education employment

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

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