Direct answer: Howard County (Howard County) requires paid sick leave for 1 employee. Accrual 1 hour per 30 hours, max 40 hours/year, paid. This is stricter than Maryland state law.Source: https://www.howardcountymd.gov/; retrieved 2026-09-21.
This page summarizes a local ordinance for general guidance only. It is not legal advice. The controlling language is the official municipal code at the source link below.
Local ordinance vs Maryland state law
Provision
Howard County
Maryland State
Employer threshold
1 employee
15+ employees (paid); smaller (unpaid)
Accrual rate
1 hour per 30 hours
1 hour per 30 hours worked
Max accrual
40 hours/year
40 hours per year
Paid / unpaid
paid
mixed
Local insight
Howard County Sick and Safe Leave: county ordinance.
Compliance go / no-go
Determine if your workforce meets the local threshold (1 employee).
Accrue at 1 hour per 30 hours (or use a more generous PTO policy that meets/exceeds the local minimum).
Cap accrual at 40 hours/year; honor carryover per local rule.
Post the required notice and keep a written policy citing the local ordinance.
Howard County may have private right of action / penalties for non-compliance — retain records.
What are the paid sick leave rules in Howard County for 2026?
Howard County requires paid sick leave for 1 employee. Accrual: 1 hour per 30 hours. Max: 40 hours/year. Howard County Sick and Safe Leave: county ordinance.
How does Howard County sick leave differ from Maryland state law?
Lower (or no) employer threshold: 1 employee vs state 15+ employees (paid); smaller (unpaid). This makes the local ordinance stricter than the Maryland statewide standard.
Where can I find the official Howard County sick leave ordinance?
The official text is published by the local agency: https://www.howardcountymd.gov/.