Maryland Publishes Nation’s First Statewide Tenants’ Bill of Rights

By PRESS OFFICER
Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development

NEW CARROLLTON, Md. (June 16, 2025)—Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development Secretary Jake Day today announced that the State of Maryland has published the first statewide Tenants’ Bill of Rights in the nation. The department’s Office of Tenant and Landlord Affairs has published the first version of the Maryland Tenants’ Bill of Rights as required by the passage of the Renters Rights and Stabilization Act of 2024. Secretary Day also announced the appointment of Alyce Thompson as the first director of the Office of Tenant and Landlord Affairs.

“While we work to tackle Maryland’s housing shortage, we still need to protect vulnerable tenants in a challenging rental market. Therefore, Governor Moore worked with the Maryland General Assembly to pass the Renters Rights and Stabilization Act in 2024 to establish the Office of Tenant and Landlord Affairs, which, with the appointment of Alyce Thompson as its first director, is now fully staffed and ready to serve Maryland renters,” said Secretary Day. “The Act also mandated the creation of the Maryland Tenants’ Bill of Rights, a new document that must be included with every lease to inform renters of their rights and protections, and I’m proud that Maryland is the first state in the nation to create and require such a lease attachment.”

The Maryland Tenants’ Bill of Rights must be included with all residential rental leases beginning July 1, 2025. Annually, the Office of Tenant and Landlord Affairs will update and release a new Tenants’ Bill of Rights by September 1, with an effective date of October 1. This annual release will include any major changes to federal or state renter laws, as well as updates based on feedback from tenants and housing partners.

In addition to serving tenants, the Office of Tenant and Landlord Affairs staff are available to train landlords, property managers, realtors, and other housing industry professionals on requirements for the Tenants’ Bill of Rights and Right of First Refusal law, which gives tenants of certain rental properties the first opportunity to purchase their home when an owner moves to sell the property.

Leading the annual revisions to the Tenants’ Bill of Rights and the other activities of the Office of Tenant and Landlord Affairs will be Alyce Thompson, who will serve as the office’s first director. Before becoming director, Thompson served 12 years with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, where she supervised a team of attorneys who advised housing and community development grant programs that funded states, local governments, tribes, and nonprofit organizations. She also played a key role in supporting the launch of multiple programs, including the Tribal Housing and Urban Development - Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing demonstration program for Native American veterans experiencing homelessness and the agency’s COVID-19 response programs. Originally from Decatur, GA, Alyce received her law degree and a master’s degree in urban planning from the University of Michigan and an undergraduate degree in urban studies and sociology from Barnard College.

"Making sure tenants and landlords alike are well informed about their rights and responsibilities under state and federal law will go a long way towards helping families maintain stable housing, in turn strengthening communities across Maryland,” said Thompson. “I'm excited to be here at the inception of the Office of Tenant and Landlord Affairs to work with partners across the state to achieve this vision for Maryland’s future.”

For more information about the Office of Tenant and Landlord Affairs or the Maryland Tenants’ Bill of Rights, visit: https://dhcd.maryland.gov/Tenant-Landlord-Affairs/pages/default.aspx

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Governor Moore Announces First Road to Careers Funding Recipients to Promote High-Skill Workforce Development

By PRESS OFFICER
Office of the Governor

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (June 17, 2025)—Governor Wes Moore today announced the first round of Road to Careers grant recipients. The six-year, $24 million investment will expand the pipeline of highly-skilled workers to build the state’s critical transportation infrastructure. The $4 million in grants awarded today will provide nearly 1,200 Marylanders with in-demand training for skilled jobs in construction and maintenance.

“To grow our economy, we need to keep building new avenues to work, wages, and wealth for all Marylanders—no matter their path,” said Gov. Moore. “This is a continuation of our multi-year push to expand apprenticeships, and the entire state is going to benefit. Together, we are closing the racial wealth gap and expanding access to opportunity for all.”

Road to Careers is a joint initiative between the Maryland Department of Labor and Maryland Department of Transportation designed to strengthen Maryland’s talent pipeline for jobs in the transportation and construction sectors. The program expands access to pre-apprenticeship and Registered Apprenticeship opportunities, meeting critical industry demand while creating career pathways for Marylanders who have historically faced systemic barriers to employment including low-income individuals, justice-involved individuals, and English language learners.

Road to Careers helps participants access high-quality, family-sustaining careers while supporting employers in building a more inclusive, skilled workforce. To ensure more equitable access to high-skill employment, the program offers wraparound support services that address common barriers to employment, including transportation, childcare, and mental health needs, all of which are contributing factors to the state’s racial wealth gap.

“These investments will help prepare the next generation of workers for good jobs that support the development of a world-class transportation system,” said Maryland Department of Labor Secretary Portia Wu. “Thanks to Secretary Wiedefeld and MDOT for their partnership to support innovative strategies to grow our state’s workforce and economy at a critical moment.”

Grantees will connect participants to proven training models and offer holistic support to guide participants from enrollment through job placement and beyond. Supporting communities across Maryland, the following organizations received $500,000 grants through the inaugural round of funding:

•          Chesapeake College: Caroline County, Dorchester County, Kent County, Queen Anne’s County, Talbot County

•          Civic Works: Baltimore City

•          Construction Trades Workforce Initiative: Prince George’s County, Baltimore County, Baltimore City

•          Hagerstown Community College: Washington County

•          HER Resiliency Center: Baltimore City

•          Ironworkers Local Union #5 Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee: Prince George’s County

•          Mayor’s Office of Employment Development: Baltimore City

•          Tri-County Council for Southern Maryland: Calvert County, Charles County, St. Mary’s County

“These grants will help MDOT, and the entire transportation industry in Maryland, successfully train and provide a path to good-paying jobs for thousands of Marylanders,” said Maryland Department of Transportation Secretary Paul J. Wiedefeld. “These jobs are in demand today and will help us build important infrastructure projects throughout our state. Thanks to Governor Moore and his leadership, MDOT is proud to partner with Secretary Wu and her team on this program and invest in economic growth for all Marylanders.”

“The Ironworkers Local 5 is grateful to Governor Moore and Secretaries Wu and Wiedefeld for their leadership in launching the Road to Careers initiative,” said Ironworkers Local 5 Business Manager Aaron Bast. “This funding will allow us to provide stronger supports for our apprentices, leading to better retention and ultimately more Marylanders landing and keeping well-paying union jobs.”

“HER Resiliency Center is honored to be selected for a Road to Careers award,” said HER Resiliency Center Founder and President Natasha Guynes. “This grant perfectly aligns with our mission to increase the number of women in the trades by providing skills training coupled with holistic and comprehensive supports like childcare and housing.”

The Maryland Department of Labor anticipates future rounds of funding in the coming months.

To learn more about Road to Careers and for information on the grants awarded, please visit www.labor.maryland.gov/employment/roadtocareers

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The Washington Post Names Educational Systems FCU a 2025 Top Washington-Area Workplace

By PRESS OFFICER
Educational Systems Federal Credit Union

Greenbelt, Md. (June 23, 2025)—Educational Systems Federal Credit Union has been named one of The Washington Post’s 2025 Top Workplaces in the Washington, D.C. area. Selection is based solely on Ambassador feedback gathered through an anonymous third-party survey administered by research partner Energage, LLC, which measured several aspects of workplace culture, including alignment, execution and connection. This year’s honorees include technology companies, real estate firms and financial service providers.

“For 12 years, The Washington Post’s Top Workplaces list has served as an essential resource for D.C.-area professionals, equipping them with unparalleled insight into the best local companies to work for, as heard directly from their employees,” said Bronwen Latimer, the editor for Special Initiatives at The Washington Post. “This year we have highlighted 250 companies who are making a difference in business and in our communities.”

Educational Systems Federal Credit Union is proud to be recognized as one of The Washington Post’s 2025 Top Workplaces in the Washington, D.C. area. This prestigious honor is especially meaningful as it reflects the voices of Credit Union Ambassadors and confirms the strength of our workplace culture. “We’re thrilled to be named a 2025 Top Workplace by The Washington Post! This honor is a direct reflection of our amazing Ambassadors, who bring passion, purpose and heart to everything they do,” said Girado Smith, President/CEO of Educational Systems FCU. “We call our employees Ambassadors because they represent so much more than a role—they embody our values and champion our mission every day. Thank you to our Ambassadors for making our Credit Union a place where people thrive and where we truly make a difference for our members and our community.” As we stand alongside some of the region’s most respected employers, we remain focused on continuing to build a workplace that inspires excellence and purpose.

The Washington Post hosted an awards ceremony on Wednesday, June 18, to recognize the top-ranked companies. For more about The Washington Post’s Top Workplaces and to see the full list of this year’s honorees, visit www.washingtonpost.com/business/interactive/2025/top-workplaces-2025

Educational Systems Federal Credit Union has proudly served the education community since 1955. With $1.2 billion in assets and 13 branches, the Credit Union serves over 90,000 members of the education community including school employees, students, parents and individuals working for education-related organizations. For more information, visit www.esfcu.org

The Washington Post is an award-winning media publisher dedicated to holding truth to power through impactful and consequential journalism. With the mission to connect, inform and enlighten, its trustworthy reporting, in-depth analysis and engaging opinions are consumed daily by millions of readers around the world.

Making the world a better place to work together.™ Energage is an HR technology company committed to building and promoting award-winning, people-first cultures. As the research firm powering the Top Workplaces employer recognition program, Energage leverages employee survey insights to identify and celebrate exceptional organizations at regional, national and industry levels. Our all-in-one platform equips companies to attract top talent, unlock potential and keep employees engaged—driving culture, growth and performance. Learn more at www.energage.com and www.topworkplaces.com

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