Maryland General Assembly Delays Implementation of Paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance Program

by | Mar 6, 2025

__wf_reserved_inherit

In an update to my March 2024 article written here, the Maryland General Assembly has bumped the deadline for employer contributions and employee eligibility to take paid leave from work under Maryland’s Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FAMLI) benefit. Contributions (akin to unemployment payments into a state fund) will begin July 1, 2025. Employees will be eligible to take leave benefits on July 1, 2026. FAMLI applies only to employees performing services under employment located in Maryland, with eligible employees able to use up to 12 weeks of paid family and medical leave with the possibility of an additional 12 weeks of paid parental leave. Replacement income is intended to be capped at $1,000/week.

For now, Maryland’s Department of Labor continues to conduct studies in advance of issuing regulations for this new program.  

Author Profile

Laura L. Rubenstein
Laura L. Rubenstein
‍Laura L. Rubenstein heads RKW’s Labor and Employment practice group. She represents employers, providing education on compliance with a goal of avoiding the courtroom. Laura focuses on the defense of FLSA and state wage disputes, ADA accommodations, FMLA leave, harassment, discrimination and retaliation. Laura frequently drafts critical documents including employment contracts, restrictive covenants, and severance/separation agreements, and handles sensitive employment investigations, ensuring confidence throughout the process.

Laura counsels boards of directors and C-level executives on governance, policy and best practices. She also provides on-site training for managers, supervisors and executives to help reduce liability and promote a more harmonious and productive workplace.

Laura has handled hundreds of investigations by state and federal departments of labor, the EEOC, and other federal and state agencies on matters related to harassment, discrimination, wage claims, independent contractor disputes, employee classification and other statutory claims.

Post Categories

Most Recent Articles

Keeping Tabs on the Agenda of the EEOC

Keeping Tabs on the Agenda of the EEOC

Shortly after taking office, President Trump swiftly reshaped the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), with changes that were, frankly, anticipated by employment lawyers who have watched the pendulum swing with each new administration. He dismissed the...

To DEI or Not

To DEI or Not

As you know from previous updates, a Maryland Federal Court enjoined President Trump’s Executive Order attempting to eliminate DEI initiatives. The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals reversed the injunction for now while the issue continues to play out through the court...

Update on Implementation of Maryland’s FAMLI Law

Update on Implementation of Maryland’s FAMLI Law

On February 14, 2025, the Maryland Department of Labor (MD DOL) proposed delaying implementation of the upcoming Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FAMLI) program suggesting that employers and workers need additional time to prepare for the launch. Under the new...