In an effort to protect the rights of healthcare professionals, lawmakers in multiple states are taking steps to ban or restrict noncompete agreements. This trend is in response to growing concerns about the negative impact of such agreements on workers and the industry as a whole. On April 23, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced a final rule that would prohibit noncompete provisions preventing workers from changing jobs within the same industry. However, this move is facing legal challenges and may face obstacles.
In reaction to this development, Maryland Governor Wes Moore signed bipartisan legislation (HB 1388) into law just two days later. This legislation bans noncompete agreements for healthcare professionals in the state, reflecting growing attention to the potential negative impacts of such agreements on healthcare workers and the industry as a whole. This effort is part of a broader trend of state-level actions to address concerns about the use and enforcement of noncompete agreements in healthcare settings.
