Md. Approves Wage Bill For School Construction

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) -- A measure to expand Maryland's prevailing wage law has been passed by the Maryland General Assembly.

The state Senate passed the bill 32-15 on Wednesday, sending the measure to Gov. Martin O'Malley.

The bill lowers the share of total school construction project costs paid by the state from 50 percent to 25 percent for the prevailing wage law to apply.

The state's law regulates the hours of labor, rates of pay, conditions of employment and obligations of employers under contracts and subcontracts for public works in Maryland. The law requires contractors for public works to pay their workers a wage that reflects wages commonly received in the area.

(Copyright 2013 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)