ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — Maryland's minimum wage is rising to $11 an hour. The increase from $10.10 is one of the state's new laws taking effect Wednesday.
The minimum wage for companies with 15 or more employees will have future increases over the next several years and reach $15 in 2025.
The wage for companies with 14 or fewer employees also goes up to $11 Wednesday.
Companies with 14 or fewer employees will be required to pay $15 an hour in 2026. Another new law taking effect Wednesday requires authorities to test rape kits.
Lawmakers also set aside $3.5 million to help local police departments pay to test them.
