Paid Leave Legislative Activity

The Maryland Department of Labor has proposed delaying the implementation of the Family and Medical Leave Insurance, or FAMLI, program to provide additional time for employers and workers before it launches. 

Under the recommended new plan, payroll deductions would begin Jan. 1, 2027, with benefits available starting Jan. 1, 2028. This decision comes in response to recent federal changes which may affect Maryland's workforce. The delay aims to ensure a robust and accessible program that supports Maryland's economy and workers.

This proposed change will require legislative action by the General Assembly in the coming weeks. 

In anticipation of the delay, Maryland Labor will be pausing any announced regulatory timelines for FAMLI, including the process for applying to use a private plan (originally scheduled to be rolled out in May 2025) and submitting wage and hour reports.

Minnesota has enacted a Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) bill, which will provide employees up to 20 weeks of PFML per year. The program is launching for Minnesotans in 2026. It provides paid time off when a serious health condition prevents an eligible employee from working, when they need time to care for a family member or a new child, for certain military-related events or for certain personal safety issues

Effective: May 25, 2023 

Florida enacted House Bill 721, which establishes the Florida Paid Family Leave Insurance Act. This Act allows a licensed insurer to issue a policy covering the benefits related to paid family leave. Under the bill “paid family leave insurance” is insurance issued to an employer which is related to a benefit program provided to an employee to pay for part of the employee's income loss due to leave taken for:

1. The birth of a child or adoption of a child by the employee;
2. Placement of a child with the employee for foster care;
3. Care of the employee's family member who has a serious health condition; or
4. Circumstances arising out of the fact that the employee's family member who is a service member is on active duty or has been notified of an impending call or order to active duty.

Family leave insurance may be written as an amendment or a rider to a group disability income policy, included in a group disability income policy, or written as a separate group insurance policy purchased by an employer. The bill provides additional requirements for an insurance policy under the Act, including more details regarding leave reasons, benefit periods, waiting periods, amount of leave and benefits.