New Montgomery County Laws Go Into Effect On July 1

SILVER SPRING, MD — Several new laws will go into effect on Monday, July 1 in Montgomery County that will raise the minimum wage, allow children to ride the bus system free of change, and require certain residents to install and maintain a carbon monoxide alarm or detector.

Here's a quick rundown of the Montgomery County laws that kick in on Monday:

County Minimum Wage

Signed into law on Nov. 17, 2017, Bill 28-17 raises the minimum wage every year on July 1, until it reaches $15 per hour in 2022. The first pay raise will be in effect on Monday, July 1.

How much it will be depends on the number of workers employed by the business. And those 18 years or younger, who work fewer than 20 hours per week, are exempt from this rate.

Here's the breakdown, per Montgomery County officials:

CPI-W = Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers

To learn more about the county's minimum wage increase, click here.

"Kids Ride Free" Program

All children under the age of 18 will be able to take Ride On and 24 Metrobus routes for free. It's all covered under the "Kids Ride Free" program, which Montgomery County council member Evan Glass — a frequent public transit rider — fought to expand during this budget cycle.

Before the expansion, the"Kids Ride Free" program allowed students to get free Ride On and Metrobus access weekdays between 2 to 8 p.m. Now, kids can take Ride On and 24 Metrobus routes for free 24/7.

To learn more about the "Kids Ride Free" program expansion, click here.

Fire Safety - Carbon Monoxide Alarm

Residents living in a single-unit, two-unit, and townhouse unit with a building permit issued before Jan. 1, 2008 must install a carbon monoxide alarm or detector.

The owner of each unit containing a fuel burning appliance or an attached garage must install the device in a central location outside of each bedroom. The carbon monoxide alarms or detectors must also be installed on every occupiable level — including basements and excluding attics and crawl spaces.

If the State Fire Marshal or local investigators find that the unit does not have the required detectors, the owner will have 15 days to get one. A violation of this order will result in a fine.

To learn more about the new fire safety law, click here.

SEE ALSO:

• New MD Laws On Beer, Tax Credits, Plastic Foam Ban Begin July 1