SB 590/HB 243, the Fairness in Negotiations Act, passed the House on third reader today.  As previously reported, this bill would change the manner of resolving labor disputes with teachers and other school employees. MACo had opposed the bill, raising concerns that replacing the current dispute resolution process through the State Board of Education with a new system including mediation and eventually semi-binding arbitration would lead to both direct and indirect increases in the costs of providing education services in public schools.

The House Ways and Means Committee amended SB 590 and conformed its own bill, HB 243.  The Senate Bill only needs a “concurrence” agreement from the Senate to secure final passage, which appears likely.