What’s Going on with Paid Family Leave in Maryland? (2025 Update)
- Joseph Gibson
- Sep 4
- 4 min read
At Fortis Employment Law, we get questions about Maryland’s paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FAMLI) program almost every day. If you’ve Googled this lately, you’ve probably seen conflicting dates (2025, 2026… argh). You’re not imagining it—the timeline has moved more than once. Think of this post as your quick, Maryland‑specific sanity check (with as little legalese as possible).
Maryland’s paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FAMLI) program was delayed again. Payroll deductions now start January 1, 2027. Benefits must start no earlier than January 1, 2027, and no later than January 3, 2028 (the exact “go‑live” date will be announced by the Labor Secretary). First employer remittances are expected in April 2027 (after Q1).
Why did the dates move…again?
In spring 2025, the General Assembly passed HB 102, which pushes the start of payroll contributions to 1/1/27 and requires benefits to begin on a date the Labor Secretary sets between 1/1/27 and 1/3/28. The change gives the state more runway to build the tech, set rates, and communicate rules before money starts flowing out.
Maryland’s Department of Labor had previewed this shift in February 2025, proposing a 1/1/27 contribution start with benefits in January 2028; the final law now says benefits must start no later than 1/3/28. The official FAMLI site for workers also frames benefits as starting January 2028.
The one‑minute timeline
What FAMLI will provide (once it finally launches)
Paid time off for life events like a new child, your own serious health condition, caring for a family member with a serious health condition, or certain military‑related needs. Up to 12 weeks per application year, with up to 12 additional weeks in the same year if you first use leave for your own serious health condition and then need parental leave (or vice‑versa).
Wage replacement up to $1,000/week (minimum $50). Indexing of the maximum now starts January 1, 2029 under the 2025 law.
Job protection / restoration rights similar to what people expect under FMLA (with narrow exceptions).
Basic eligibility: among other things, you must have worked at least 680 hours in Maryland over the four most recently completed quarters (FAMLI’s statute uses a “covered employee” standard; HB 102 tied a number of rules to an “anchor date”).
How contributions will work
The total rate can be up to 1.2% of wages (up to the Social Security wage base) and is split between employer and employee (employers with 14 or fewer employees are not required to pay the employer share). The 2027 rate will be set by May 1, 2026, and then rates will be announced each year by Nov 1 for the following year.
First payments are expected with the April 2027 filing (covering Q1 2027).
Self‑employed? Optional participation will be available by regulation—not before July 1, 2028, under HB 102.
So…what can Maryland workers rely on right now (before FAMLI)?
While we wait for FAMLI’s start date, several existing Maryland laws still matter:
Maryland Healthy Working Families Act (MHWFA) – If your employer has 15+ employees, you generally accrue paid sick and safe leave; under 15 employees, you accrue unpaid leave. Accrual is 1 hour per 30 hours worked (with a modest annual cap).
Maryland Parental Leave Act (PLA) – Historically applied to employers with 15–49 employees and provides six workweeks of unpaid parental leave if you meet tenure/hour thresholds. New for 2025: if your employer is covered by federal FMLA, it’s now exempt from PLA (to avoid double coverage), effective October 1, 2025.
Maryland Flexible Leave Act (MFLA) – Lets eligible employees use accrued paid leave (e.g., PTO) to care for an immediate family member’s illness under the same conditions as your own, and also allows bereavement leave.
If you’re being denied sick leave you’ve earned, blocked from parental leave, or feel you’re being punished for taking protected time off—those are exactly the situations I help with at Fortis Employment Law.
“Why does Google still say 2026 in some places?”
Because the dates moved. Some otherwise solid guides still reflect pre‑2025 timelines (for example, references to benefits beginning January 1, 2026). The 2025 law (HB 102) changed that. When in doubt, follow the Maryland General Assembly/Labor Department sources and this 2025 update.
Quick FAQs
When will I actually be able to file a FAMLI claim? The Labor Secretary will set the exact benefits start date, but it must be between January 1, 2027, and January 3, 2028. The FAMLI worker site frames it as starting January 2028.
Will my paycheck deductions begin before benefits? Yes—withholding starts January 1, 2027 so the fund has money before claims are paid. First remittance is expected April 2027.
How much will I get? The formula replaces a share of your wages up to $1,000/week (minimum $50). The cap will start indexing in 2029 (pushed back by HB 102).
How long can I be out? Generally, up to 12 weeks; in limited cases you can get an additional 12 weeks in the same application year if you first used leave for your own serious health condition and then need parental leave (or vice‑versa).
Is my job protected? FAMLI has job restoration protections (with narrow exceptions). Talk to a Maryland employment lawyer (like me) if you’re worried about retaliation.
What to do now (my practical, Maryland‑centric checklist)
Confirm which framework applies at your job:
50+ employees (and other FMLA thresholds met)? You’re likely under FMLA, not the PLA (and PLA stops applying to FMLA‑covered employers on Oct 1, 2025).
15–49 employees? PLA may apply for six workweeks of unpaid parental leave (assuming you meet tenure/hour requirements).
Sick & safe leave? MHWFA accrual rules apply statewide; check your balance and your employer’s policy.
Document everything (policies, emails, timesheets). If something smells off, it usually is.
Ask HR (nicely) for the current policy and how they’re planning for FAMLI 2027/2028.
Call a Maryland employment lawyer (hi!) if you’re denied leave or face pushback for using protected time.
Bottom line
Maryland paid family and medical leave is real—it’s just not live yet. Payroll deductions start 1/1/27; benefits must begin by 1/3/28. Until then, MHWFA sick/safe leave, the PLA (for smaller employers), MFLA, and federal FMLA are still doing the heavy lifting. If your employer isn’t following the rules—or you’re not sure which rules apply—reach out. I’m happy to help you sort it out, in plain English.