Maryland has opened employer registration for its new Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FAMLI) program, which will eventually provide eligible workers with up to 12 weeks of job-protected paid leave.
Governor Wes Moore announced Monday that employers can now register for the program. All employers with at least one Maryland-based employee are required to register and can choose between participating in the state plan or applying to offer an approved private plan.
When benefits begin, eligible workers will be able to receive up to $1,000 per week in partial wage replacement for qualifying circumstances, including welcoming a new child, dealing with their own or a family member’s serious health condition, or addressing certain family needs related to military deployment.
Employers and employees participating in the state plan will fund the program through quarterly contributions. Employers with fewer than 15 employees will be exempt from paying the employer portion, although employee contributions will still apply. The state estimates more than 80% of Maryland employers will qualify for the small-employer exemption.
Employers must begin withholding employee contributions with the first pay period in January 2027, with the first payments due April 30, 2027. Paid, job-protected leave benefits are scheduled to become available in January 2028.
