As with most states in the US, Minnesota is an "employment at-will" state, meaning that without a written employment agreement, either the employee and employer can end the employment at any time, for any reason, as long as it is not for illegal reasons such as sex, race, color, national origin, religion, or disability. The state goes above and beyond the Federal Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 by allowing for employers with fifteen or more employees to use "leave without pay" for an illness in the employee's immediate family (a child, spouse, or parent). Maryland's Flexible Leave Act, passed in 2008, prohibits employers from discharging, demoting, suspending, disciplining, or otherwise discriminating against any employees who take advantage of this law. As of July 24, 2009, the minimum wage in Maryland will increase to $7.25 per hour. Maryland also follows the practice of most other US states by requiring time-and-a-half pay for overtime, meaning any time worked over forty hours in one week.