Maryland Paid Family Leave Laws - WorkforceHub
Maryland's Time to Care Act establishes a Paid Family and Medical Leave program starting July 1, 2026, providing eligible employees who have worked at least 680 hours in the past year up to 12 weeks of paid leave (with an additional 12 weeks for parental bonding) for qualifying events such as bonding with a new child, caring for a seriously ill family member, addressing one's own serious health condition, military family exigencies, and safe leave, distinguishing it from the federal FMLA by offering paid rather than unpaid leave funded through payroll contributions.
Maryland has enacted the Time to Care Act, establishing a Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) insurance program to support employees during significant life events requiring time away from work.
What is Paid Family Leave?
Paid Family Leave (PFL) allows employees to take compensated time off from work to address significant family or medical needs, such as bonding with a new child or caring for a seriously ill family member. PFL aims to support employees in balancing work responsibilities with essential family obligations without financial hardship.
Does Maryland Have Paid Family Leave Laws That Differ from Federal Family Leave Laws?
Yes, Maryland’s Time to Care Act provides up to 12 weeks of paid leave for eligible employees, whereas the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) offers up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave. Maryland’s program is funded through payroll contributions, with benefits scheduled to begin on July 1, 2026.
What Counts as a Qualifying Event for Paid Family Leave in Maryland?
Qualifying events under Maryland’s PFML include:
- Bonding with a new child through birth, adoption, or foster care placement.
- Caring for a family member with a serious health condition.
- Attending to a qualifying exigency related to a family member’s military service.
- Addressing one’s own serious health condition.
- Taking safe leave.
Are There Requirements to be Eligible for Paid Family Leave in Maryland?
To be eligible, employees must have worked at least 680 hours in Maryland over the prior 12 months.
Is There a Minimum Amount of Paid Family Leave Time Required in Maryland?
The program provides up to 12 weeks of paid leave within a 12-month period for qualifying events, with the possibility of an additional 12 weeks for parental bonding purposes.
Is There a Minimum Amount of Maternity Leave Time Required in Maryland?
Maryland’s PFML allows up to 12 weeks of paid leave for maternity-related events, including the birth and care of a newborn child.
Is Paternity Leave Required by Law in Maryland?
Yes, the PFML program includes paternity leave, granting eligible employees up to 12 weeks of paid leave for bonding with a new child.
Who Pays for Paid Family Leave in Maryland?
The program is funded through contributions from employers and employees, starting July 1, 2025. The rate of contribution is capped at 1.2% of an employee’s wages, up to the Social Security wage base, with contributions split 50-50 between employers and employees. Employers with fewer than 15 employees are exempt from the employer portion of the contribution.
Conclusion
Maryland’s PFML program enhances support for employees during critical family and medical events by providing paid leave, thereby strengthening the balance between work and personal life. Employees and employers should familiarize themselves with the program’s requirements and timelines to ensure compliance and to fully benefit from the available provisions.
Related
Massachusetts Paid Family Leave Laws - WorkforceHub
Massachusetts' Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) program provides eligible employees with up to 26 weeks of paid leave per benefit year for qualifying family and medical reasons—including bonding with a new child, caring for seriously ill family members, or managing affairs during a family member's active duty—offering more extensive and compensated benefits than the federal FMLA, with eligibility based on meeting minimum earnings requirements.
Virginia Paid Family Leave Laws - WorkforceHub
As of January 3, 2025, Virginia does not require private-sector employers to provide paid family leave beyond the federal unpaid FMLA protections, but offers eligible state employees up to eight weeks of paid parental leave to bond with a newborn or newly placed child under age 18, which must be used within six months of the event.
Mississippi Paid Family Leave Laws - WorkforceHub
As of December 11, 2024, Mississippi does not have its own Paid Family Leave laws, so employees rely on the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), which provides up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave for qualifying family and medical reasons—such as childbirth, adoption, or caring for a seriously ill family member—provided they meet eligibility criteria including working for a covered employer with at least 50 employees within 75 miles, having worked there for 12 months, and clocking at least 1,250 hours in the prior year.
New Jersey Paid Family Leave Laws - WorkforceHub
As of December 11, 2024, New Jersey's Paid Family Leave program provides eligible employees partial wage replacement for up to a specified duration to care for a new child or seriously ill family member, covering a broader range of relationships and differing in eligibility and benefits from the federal FMLA, with requirements including employment in New Jersey and contributions to the state's Family Leave Insurance program.
Georgia Paid Family Leave Laws - WorkforceHub
Georgia does not require paid family leave for private-sector employees beyond the federal unpaid FMLA provisions, but it provides eligible state employees—including public school teachers and local education board employees—with paid parental leave initially set at 120 hours and expanded to 240 hours starting July 1, 2024, for qualifying events such as childbirth, adoption, or foster care placement.
Louisiana Paid Family Leave Laws - WorkforceHub
Louisiana does not have a state-mandated Paid Family Leave program for private-sector employees but follows federal FMLA guidelines for unpaid leave, requires employers with 25+ employees to provide unpaid pregnancy disability leave, and starting January 1, 2024, offers up to six weeks of paid parental leave to classified state employees under State Civil Service Rule 11.36.