Maryland Paid Family & Medical Leave (MD PFML)
Maryland's mandated Paid Family and Medical Leave (MD PFML) program will provide job protected leave and wage replacement benefits.
Starting July 1, 2026, eligible MD workers will have access to paid medical leave (PML) if they are unable to work due to injury or illness, including pregnancy and childbirth or for paid family leave (PFL) to bond with a new child, to address a military exigency and to care for a seriously ill family member (including a military caregiver).
The state will be developing their own program and adopt regulations to support the law. Like the other states under development, MetLife will be actively engaged throughout this process to ensure our customers’ needs are considered during this development process.
Coverage Options: Employers will be able to participate in the state-run program or they can self-insure or fully insure a private employer plan.
Job Protection: The MD PFML coverage is job protected; however, an employer may terminate an employee’s employment and deny job restoration for cause. When applicable, leave under the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) will run concurrently.
Benefits:
Contributions:
Contributions for the state program are being defined by the Secretary of Labor. The law contemplates that both employees and employers will contribute to the state program.
Key Dates:
As of June 24, 2024