Paid Leave Passes
Despite the best efforts of many concerned parties, the General Assembly of Maryland passed paid leave legislation that requires companies with 15 or more workers to offer 40 hours of annual paid sick leave. Part-time employees working only 12 hours a week would also accrue paid sick leave under the mandate.
Gov. Larry Hogan is expected (at press time) to veto the bill, meaning that it likely will be taken up by the legislature as one of its first orders of business in 2018. The bill passed the House of Delegates, 87-53, and the State Senate, 29-18, by a veto-proof majority.
The bill originally had offered seven sick days. Any business that currently offers five days of flexible paid leave, whether vacation or sick, complies with the bill.

Annual Meeting Set for May 18
The Howard County Chamber of Commerce’s (HCCC) 48th annual meeting will be held on Thursday, May 18, at Turf Valley Resort, Ellicott City. The luncheon meeting, which begins at 11 a.m., will honor the chamber’s outstanding volunteers and celebrate a year of accomplishments.
In addition, members will be asked to ratify the new slate for the board of directors and vote for entrepreneur prize-winners.

June 7: The Cyber Conference
Join the HCCC for its eighth annual cyberconference, where it will explore innovation, funding and growth. Participants can expect discussions from cyberinnovators and entrepreneurs, from leading venture capitalists and financiers, and from government agencies who look to the industry base for technologies and solutions.
There will be two separate tracks, ensuring there is something for everyone, from the startup to the seasoned CEO to the everyday cyberpractitioner. Regardless of whether you are growing a cyberindustry business or a company that needs to know more about how to manage cyberthreats in organizations, there will be something that is pertinent to you and your business.
Subject matter will include the following topics.
• Funding growth and mergers & acquisitions
• Role of government and academia in innovation
• Threat assessment, prevention and remediation
• Security of health data
Details are available at www.cyberhoward.com.

An Italian Getaway
This year, don’t miss a unique Italian experience in October as the HCCC goes to Italy. The nine-day trip will include stops at the Amalfi Coast, Pompeii and Rome, and is scheduled for Oct. 23–31 — a perfect time of year to visit the Italian coast.
The Italian getaway is open to all who are interested in the trip, but HCCC members receive a discounted price: The cost is $3,099 for chamber members and $3,299 for non-chamber members.
The purchase price includes round-trip airfare; airline fuel surcharges, taxes and fees; seven nights in a first-class hotel; 10 meals (seven breakfasts and three dinners); sightseeing and admissions, per itinerary; the services of a professional tour manager; baggage handling; and hotel transfers.
For more information about the HCCC-sponsored trip in October, visit www.howardchamber.com or call 410-730-4111.

Interactive Directory
Want to learn more about members of the HCCC? View the 2017 Howard County Chamber of Commerce interactive membership directors, which is found at www.howardchamber.com under “About the Chamber.”
Discover Howard County, connect with the HCCC, its members and much more.