How To Be Compensated In Maryland For Maternity Leave?

Maryland is preparing to launch a new paid family and medical leave system starting July 1, 2026. Starting July 1, 2026, workers will be able to take time away from work to care for themselves or a family member while still receiving up to $1000 a week for up to 12 weeks. The Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FAMLI) program is the newest division within Maryland’s Department of Labor, working to create Maryland’s paid family and medical leave.

The bill guarantees nearly all Maryland employees the right to up to 12 weeks of paid, job-protected leave to bond with a new child or care for a seriously ill employee. The Parental Leave Act (MPLA) requires certain employers in Maryland to provide eligible employees with 6 workweeks of unpaid parental leave.

Starting July 1, 2026, workers will be able to take time away from work to care for themselves or a family member while still being paid up to $1,000 a week for up to 12 weeks of leave on an annual basis. The program provides up to 12 weeks annually of paid benefits to employees who take qualifying family- or medical-related leave.

Eligible employees must apply for leave starting on or after January 1, 2025, be an employee, and have worked at least 680 hours for that employer. Under this law, an eligible employee is entitled to a total of six workweeks of unpaid parental leave during any 12-month period for the parent(s) of a child.

The paid family and medical leave (PFML) insurance program will begin contributions, which cannot exceed 1.2 of wages, starting July 1, 2025.

What is the Maryland Flexible leave Act?

Maryland employers are required to allow employees to use earned leave with pay to care for an immediate family member due to an illness or bereavement leave for the death of an immediate family member, under the same conditions and policy rules as if the employee took leave for their own illness. This leave is not limited to serious health conditions and can be used for any illness suffered by these family members. The law applies to any form of paid leave, including vacation, sick leave, paid time off, and compensatory time.

Employees who earn more than one type of accrued paid leave may choose the type and amount of leave they want to use. The statute does not excuse an employee from obligations created under collective bargaining agreements or other employment policies, allowing employers to enforce call-in requirements or other leave terms that are not inconsistent with the law.

What is the Maryland Time to Care Act 2024?

Maryland’s Governor has signed a law extending the contribution and benefit dates of the paid family leave program. The law will start contributions on July 1, 2025, and benefits will be available on July 1, 2026. The Secretary of Labor will set the contribution rate on or before February 1, 2025. Maryland’s Time to Care Act provides eligible employees with up to 12 weeks of paid leave for various reasons, including baby bonding, family care, serious health conditions, or military exigencies.

The information provided in this Benefit Beat is not intended to be legal, accounting, or professional advice and may be affected by changes in law or regulation. It is provided as-is, with no warranties, and CBIZ is not liable for any damages or obligations to inform readers of any changes in laws or other factors that could affect the information.

Does Maryland parental leave run concurrently with FMLA?

It should be noted that eligibility for parental leave does not automatically imply eligibility for FMLA leave. However, in the event that an employee is eligible for both forms of leave, the parental leave will run concurrently with the FMLA entitlement.

Is PTO paid out in Maryland?

The state of Maryland does not mandate that employers provide compensation to employees for accrued time off. However, in the absence of a forfeiture policy, employers are required to remunerate unused vacation time. Nevertheless, in the event that the employer has a written policy and notifies employees in writing at the time of hire that unused vacation time is forfeited, no obligation exists to make these payments.

Does Maryland offer short-term disability for pregnancy?

The Maryland Human Relations Law stipulates that pregnancy-related disabilities are to be regarded as temporary and thus treated as such in the context of any health, temporary disability insurance, or sick leave plan that may be available through employment.

Who is eligible for FMLA in Maryland?

The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) in Maryland allows employees to take leave for various reasons, including personal health issues, family member’s serious health conditions, birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child, military-related exigencies and caregiver leave, and longer leave (up to 26 weeks) to care for a service member with a serious injury or illness. To be eligible for FMLA leave, employees must have worked for a covered employer for at least 12 months, worked a minimum of 1, 250 hours during the 12 months prior to the start of FMLA leave, and be working at a location with at least 50 employees within a 75-mile radius.

What is the leave policy in Maryland?

Maryland law allows employees to earn sick and safe leave at a rate of 1 hour for every 30 hours worked up to a maximum of 40 hours. Employees are awarded 40 hours of paid or unpaid sick leave at the beginning of each year, with the year starting on ___ and ending on ___. Unused leave cannot be carried over at the end of the year. Employees are not paid for unused sick and safe leave upon termination. If an employee is rehired within 37 weeks, any earned and unused sick leave at the time of separation will be reinstated.

How much does short-term disability pay in Maryland?

Baltimore residents with injuries or illnesses may be eligible for disability benefits through state and federal programs. The Maryland Temporary Disability Assistance Program (TDAP) provides $185 a month in benefits through the Department of Social Services, but is restricted to individuals with limited incomes and no dependent children. The federal Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income programs, administered by the Social Security Administration, have different eligibility rules and benefits amounts. The TDAP program provides short-term disability pay while out of work or waiting for SSDI or SSI benefits.

How to qualify for disability in MD?

To qualify for SSDI or SSI, your disability or medical condition must make it impossible for you to work, and the SSA requires confirmation from your doctor that your condition will last at least one more year or for the rest of your life. Terminal conditions on the SSA’s compassionate allowance list can expedite benefits. Disability eligibility is easier after age 50, as you only need to prove you cannot continue working the type of work you’ve done. Under age 50, it may be harder to qualify, as you must prove you can’t perform any job, even those requiring retraining.

How do I get paid for maternity leave in Maryland?

Maryland is set to launch a new paid family and medical leave program starting July 1, 2026. Starting July 1, workers will be able to take time off work to care for themselves or a family member, while still receiving up to $1, 000 a week for up to 12 weeks. FAMLI is an insurance program that allows employers and workers to contribute to a state-administered fund or use a commercial or self-insured plan.

Workers can use leave for qualifying events such as welcoming a child into their home, caring for themselves with a serious health condition, caring for a family member’s health condition, or making arrangements for military deployment. The contribution period for the State Plan begins on July 1, 2025.

Does Maryland have state paid family leave?

In the state of Maryland, employees are entitled to utilize paid family leave for the purpose of fostering a bond with a child, providing care for a family member afflicted with a severe health condition, or recuperating from a serious personal health condition.