The latest

Pro-worker laws recently passed

√ Maryland Workplace Fraud Act of 2009 gives the Maryland Department of Labor new powers to investigate suspected cases of employers misclassifying their employees as independent contractors.

Some employers misclassify workers to avoid paying Social Security and Medicare taxes and premiums for workers’ compensation and unemployment insurance. And by misclassifying workers, some employers hope to avoid responsibility for paying overtime compensation and for withholding local, state, and federal income taxes. Furthermore, employees have rights that independent contractors do not have, such as the right to organize.

Under the new law, starting with their second knowing violation, violators may be required to pay increasingly stiff penalties.

√ Montgomery County and Charles County, Maryland, Prevailing Wage laws require contractors and subcontractors to pay at least prevailing wages on most construction projects awarded or financed by the counties. Montgomery County adopted its law first and inspired Charles County to do the same.

Each county will adopt the wage rates for their area set by the State of Maryland under its prevailing wage law.

As a result of the new laws, contractors will have to bid for jobs on the basis of productivity and quality of work – not on the basis of how little they can get away with paying their workers.

√ New gaming law in West Virginia. This law allows a gaming casino to be built on the property of the Greenbrier Hotel and Resort, which was in bankruptcy court despite being one of America’s premier travel destinations. The law made the hotel property potentially profitable again, and it was purchased by a local businessman. Construction of the casino will create hundreds of jobs.

And, under the law, a portion of every wager made in the casino will go toward workers’ benefits.