Department of Budget and Management

​Meeting ag​enda 9/29/2026 (PDF)​

Workgroup for an Inclusive State Workplace Charge​

The Workgroup for an Inclusive State Workplace was established by the Maryland General Assembly through the passage of House Bill 1248 to study and make recommendations regarding the expansion of part-time, benefit-eligible State employment. Authorized to take effect on July 1, 2026, the Workgroup focuses on removing systemic workplace obstacles for populations such as caregivers, individuals with disabilities, older adults, and healthcare stakeholders who require flexible work structures.

The Workgroup is specifically charged with evaluating employment expansion across three major State public sector systems: the State Personnel Management System (SPMS), the University System of Maryland (USM), and the Department of Transportation (MDOT). Under Section 1(g)(2) of the Act, the General Assembly identified the following specific responsibilities for the Workgroup to address:

• Action Steps: Outlining concrete steps the State must take to encourage the expansion of part-time employment within SPMS, USM, and MDOT;

• Inclusive Opportunities & Barrier Removal: Expanding inclusive state employment opportunities and eliminating obstacles for individuals challenged by full-time schedules;

• Policy & Procedure Review: Reviewing existing State government policies and procedures concerning part-time employment;

• Incentives & Best Practices: Analyzing current budgetary incentives, recruitment best practices, and organizational support structures that encourage hiring part-time, benefit-eligible employees;

• Economic & Operational Impact: Studying the operational effects and quantifying the long-term economic benefits of part-time state employment on both Maryland households and State government;

• Timelines, Methods, & Metrics: Suggesting implementation timelines and identifying specific methods and evaluation metrics for expanding part-time opportunities; and

• Statutory Recommendations: Identifying potential statutory changes to Maryland law required to implement the Workgroup's recommended steps.

Staffed and supported administratively by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), the Workgroup must convene its initial meeting before October 1, 2026. The Workgroup will submit a report containing its findings and recommendations to the General Assembly on or before September 15, 2027. DBM will then utilize the report's findings to develop and distribute formal guidance on part-time state employment opportunities to State agencies by December 31, 2027.

House Bill 1248