Maryland
Be in the Know: New Rules on Leave
Maryland requires paid medical leave (PML) and paid family leave (PFL) income replacement benefits for eligible workers who need time off from work for qualifying reasons.
Coverage and cost
Learn more about your state rules and eligibility.
Covered employers
All employers employing at least one individual in the state of Maryland are covered except the federal government, tribes, and self-employed.
Coverage options
Employers may use the state or a private plan. The Maryland Department of Labor must approve private plans.
Cost
- On or before October 1, 2023, the Secretary of Labor will set the total rate of contribution including employee level contributions.
- Employers employing fewer than 15 employees are not required to pay the employer contribution.
Employee eligibility
An employee must have worked a minimum of 680 hours in the 12-month period immediately prior to the date leave begins. Self-employed individuals may elect to participate in the program.
Leave reasons
Caring for a family member, bonding, medical, qualifying exigency and caring for a service member.
Job protection
Requires continuation of health insurance benefits, and with limited exceptions, reinstatement to equivalent position.
Other protections and provisions
Intermittent leave must be taken in increments no less than 4 hours.
Leave runs concurrently with FMLA leave, but employees must exhaust all employer-provided leave not required by law before receiving Paid Leave benefits.
Benefits
Employees receive up to 90% of their average weekly wage on a sliding scale. 2025 maximum weekly benefit = $1,000.
12 weeks of paid leave per benefit year. In limited circumstances, may be eligible for an additional 12 weeks if employee's own serious health condition and bonding occur in the same year.
Timeline and key dates
- October 1, 2024: contributions for the program begins.
- January 1, 2026: benefits will become available to employees.
How Unum can help
Unum is committed to working toward solutions to assist our clients with employees in Maryland. We will provide updates on our offering as more information about the program becomes available.
Have questions?
Reach out to our sales team to learn more about Unum’s state PFML and absence management solutions.