1. (a)

   1. (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.
   2. (2) “Employer” includes a governmental unit.
   3. (3) “Small employer” means an employer that employs 14 or fewer employees.

2. (b) Except as provided in subsection (d) of this section and § 3-414 of this subtitle, each employer shall pay:

   1. (1) to each employee who is subject to both the federal Act and this subtitle, at least the greater of:

      1. (i) the minimum wage for that employee under the federal Act; or
      2. (ii) the State minimum wage set under subsection (c) of this section; and

   2. (2) to each other employee who is subject to this subtitle, at least the greater of:

      1. (i) the highest minimum wage under the federal Act; or
      2. (ii) the State minimum wage set under subsection (c) of this section.

3. (c)

   1. (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, the State minimum wage rate is:

      1. (i) for the 12-month period beginning January 1, 2023, $13.25 per hour; and
      2. (ii) beginning January 1, 2024, $15.00 per hour.

   2. (2) The State minimum wage rate for a small employer is:

      1. (i) for the 12-month period beginning January 1, 2023, $12.80 per hour; and
      2. (ii) beginning January 1, 2024, $15.00 per hour.
4. (d) An employer may pay an employee a wage that equals a rate of 85% of the State minimum wage established under this section if the employee is under the age of 18 years.

Added by Acts 1991, c. 8, § 2, eff. Oct. 1, 1991. Amended by Acts 1992, c. 22, § 1; Acts 2006, c. 2, § 1, eff. Feb. 16, 2006; Acts 2006, c. 557, § 1, eff. July 1, 2006; Acts 2014, c. 262, § 1, eff. July 1, 2014; Acts 2018, c. 12, § 1, eff. April 5, 2018; Acts 2019, c. 8, § 1, eff. March 27, 2019; Acts 2019, c. 10, § 1, eff. June 1, 2019; Acts 2019, c. 11, § 1, eff. June 1, 2019; Acts 2023, c. 2, § 1, eff. July 1, 2023; Acts 2023, c. 266, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2023; Acts 2024, c. 382, § 1, eff. April 25, 2024.

Formerly Art. 100, § 83.