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Maryland WARN Act: who is covered and how much notice

Maryland has its own layoff notice law on top of the federal WARN Act. This is what it says, read from the state’s own pages as of 2026-10-27, with the sources.

The rule

Employers with at least 50 employees that operate a business in Maryland (the Economic Stabilization Act). Written notice at least 60 days before a reduction in operations: a relocation or shutdown that cuts the employees at the workplace by at least 25% or 15 employees, whichever is greater, over 3 months. It goes to all employees at the workplace, each exclusive representative, the Division’s dislocated worker unit and the chief elected official of the political subdivision.

How it differs from the federal rule

A lower employer size (50) and a different trigger (25% or 15 employees, whichever is greater). The statute sets no severance amount; the Secretary of Labor must issue guidelines on continuing benefits. The Secretary can order compliance and assess a civil penalty of up to $10,000 a day.

This is general information, not legal advice. The federal WARN Act applies in every state as well; see the WARN Act in plain language.

Sources

Maryland WARN Act questions

Does Maryland have its own WARN Act?
Yes. Employers with at least 50 employees that operate a business in Maryland (the Economic Stabilization Act). Written notice at least 60 days before a reduction in operations: a relocation or shutdown that cuts the employees at the workplace by at least 25% or 15 employees, whichever is greater, over 3 months. It goes to all employees at the workplace, each exclusive representative, the Division’s dislocated worker unit and the chief elected official of the political subdivision.
How is Maryland's rule different from the federal WARN Act?
A lower employer size (50) and a different trigger (25% or 15 employees, whichever is greater). The statute sets no severance amount; the Secretary of Labor must issue guidelines on continuing benefits. The Secretary can order compliance and assess a civil penalty of up to $10,000 a day.
How many days of notice does Maryland require?
60 days is the longest notice period the state's law sets for the employer's notice. The federal Act requires 60 days, and the federal rule applies in every state.

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