Two new laws and a minimum wage increase are set to take effect in Maryland on Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023.
Most of Maryland’s new laws went into effect in July; several new traffic laws took effect on October 1.
The following new laws will become effective in the new year:
- Maryland Medical Assistance Program: Under certain conditions, the Maryland Medical Assistance Program will be required to provide several dental services to adults whose household income is less than 133 percent of the federal poverty line. A number of provisions of the law that required implementing a pilot program to provide limited dental coverage to adult recipients under the program will be repealed.
- Water Assistance Relief Program: Gov. Larry Hogan (R) announced a $20 million program to assist residents with water bill debt related to COVID-19. The credits will be applied to outstanding residential water debt accrued between January 2020 and September 2022. Water systems may submit applications for funding beginning January 2.
Workers earning minimum wage in Maryland should receive a raise in their next paycheck after the new year. There will be an increase in the state minimum wage from $12.50 to $13.25 for businesses with at least 15 employees. The Montgomery County minimum wage is scheduled to increase on July 1.
Later in the year, a ballot measure approved by Maryland voters in November will legalize recreational marijuana for adults over 21 on July 1.
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