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Learn About DLLR's Regulatory Assistance Program

Learn About DLLR's Regulatory Assistance Program
Janice (Jan) Walker-Emeogo, Development Representative Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing, and Regulation, Office of Small Business Regulatory Assistance

For some, when one thinks of Maryland’s Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (DLLR) the thought of big brother government comes to picture with draconian regulations taxes and fees that impede progress for the everyday small and minority business. And though some of that might be true, there is another side of DLLR that provides assistance to those same businesses promoting success. In this week’s publication we are profiling the leader of Maryland’s Office of Small Business Regulatory Assistance, Janice Walker-Emeogo. Her role is to assist small and minority businesses, by removing barriers, advocate and liaison with other state agencies.

 

“Governor Lawrence J. Hogan, has been very strong in support of small and minority business and recruiting Janice was one of his best decisions. Janice has a keen understanding of what our small and minority businesses deal with and is the best advocate for solutions to many of their issues dealing with state bureaucracy”, said Wayne R. Frazier, Sr., President of Md. Washington Minority Companies Association (MWMCA). "We truly appreciate her passion and commitment to assist”.

 

How did you find your way to the Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (DLLR)? 
On January 1, 2018, Governor Hogan issued an Executive Order to create the Office of Small Business Regulatory Assistance within the Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing, and Regulation where my background in small business equipped me to support employers with regulatory inquiries and the Maryland Healthy Working Families Act (Sick and Safe Leave).
 
What prepared you for this new assignment?
I have over 17 years of business banking experience assisting clients with obtaining access to capital, business plan development, and coaching around the four pillars that contribute to small business success in the market.
 
What are the four pillars that contribute to small business success in the market?
A small business client needs four partners in his or her circle of influence:  an attorney, an insurance agent, a banker, and a Certified Public Accountant (CPA).
 
What is your role there? Within OSBRA, I:
assist small business clients with regulatory inquiries;
conduct a discovery inquiry of the business and connect clients to programs and resources to start, grow, and sustain their business in the state;
attend and connect with small business clients at outreach events;
serve as an advocate for small businesses; and
Educate small business clients on the new Sick and Safe Leave Act.
 
Tell us about the Maryland Healthy Working Family Act (SSL), what initiated it and how does one get involved?
House Bill 1, the Maryland Healthy Working Families Act, was introduced during the 2017 session of the Maryland General Assembly.
 
The law states that all employers with employees whose primary work location is in Maryland are required to provide earned sick and safe leave, regardless of where the employer is located. Employers who employ 15 or more employees are required to provide paid earned safe and sick leave. Employers with 14 or fewer employees are required to provide unpaid earned sick and safe leave. Under the law, an employee accrues one hour of sick and safe leave for every 30 hours that the employee works up to 40 hours on an annual basis.
 
Visit our website where we offer Sick and Safe Leave sample policies, FAQ’s and an employee poster. http://www.dllr.state.md.us/paidleave/
 
How do you assist small business challenges in dealing with state agencies?
Our goal in OSBRA is to troubleshoot and remove barriers that impede small businesses in Maryland. 

  • I assist small businesses by serving as an advocate and liaison with other state agencies. I follow a 4-prong approach to resolving small business challenges with state agencies:
  • Conduct a discovery call to identify the issue impacting the business
  • Contact the state agency on their behalf
  • Obtain a resolution to the issue
  • Follow-up with the client on next steps

 
What type of regulatory assistance do you provide to small businesses?
I provide small business clients with the following type of regulatory assistance:

  • Compliance with the Sick and Safe Leave Act
  • How to register a business in the state
  • How to obtain access to capital
  • License and permits
  • Small business networking events
  • Procurement opportunities at state agencies
  • Introductions to other small business

 
Are you available to outreach and speak at events on behalf of DLLR? If so, what topics of interest would you like to address?
Yes, I am available to speak at events on behalf of DLLR-OSBRA. Topics of interest:

  • Discussions on programs and resources available to start, grow, and maintain small businesses in the state.
  • Information on the Maryland Healthy Working Families Act (Sick and Safe Leave)

 

Biography

 

Contact: Janice (Jan) Walker-Emeogo

Email: janice.walker1@maryland.gov

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