Maryland’s paid family and medical leave program takes effect in two stages: payroll contributions start January 1, 2027, and eligible workers can begin collecting benefits on January 3, 2028.1Maryland FAMLI. Paid Family and Medical Leave Is Coming to Maryland The program, called FAMLI, pays up to $1,000 per week for as long as 12 weeks to employees recovering from a serious health condition, bonding with a new child, caring for a sick family member, or handling certain military family needs.
Why the Dates Keep Changing
If you’ve seen earlier start dates floating around, you’re not misremembering. The General Assembly has pushed back the launch three times since first passing the Time to Care Act in 2022.
The original law set deductions to begin October 1, 2023, with benefits following in January 2025. Senate Bill 485, enacted in 2024, moved those dates to July 1, 2025, for contributions and July 1, 2026, for benefits.2Maryland General Assembly. SB 485 – Family and Medical Leave Insurance Program – Modifications In late 2025 the Maryland Department of Labor asked for more time to build the technology platform and administrative infrastructure.3Maryland Department of Labor. Maryland Department of Labor Proposes Extending Implementation Timeline for Family and Medical Leave Insurance The legislature responded with House Bill 102 in April 2025, setting the January 2027 and January 2028 dates now in force.
The current schedule appears firm. The FAMLI Division is publishing employer guidance, opening private plan windows, and building its claims system around those dates.
January 1, 2027: Payroll Contributions Begin
On the first day of 2027, employers across Maryland will start deducting FAMLI contributions from employee paychecks and remitting them quarterly to the state.4Maryland FAMLI. Contributions The total contribution rate is set by the Secretary of Labor and cannot exceed 1.2% of wages up to the Social Security wage base.5Maryland General Assembly. Maryland Code Labor and Employment 8.3-601 The exact rate has not been announced; the FAMLI Division’s materials use an illustrative figure of 0.9%.6Maryland FAMLI. For Employees
How the cost splits depends on employer size:
- Employers with 15 or more employees pay half the total contribution; the employee pays the other half through payroll deduction. Employers can voluntarily cover more, but they cannot charge employees more than 50%.5Maryland General Assembly. Maryland Code Labor and Employment 8.3-601
- Employers with fewer than 15 employees owe no employer share. They collect and remit the employee half only.7Maryland Department of Labor. FAMLI Frequently Asked Questions
No benefits are paid during 2027. That year funds the system before claims open.
January 3, 2028: Benefits Become Available
Workers can file their first FAMLI claims on January 3, 2028. To qualify, you must have worked at least 680 hours in a Maryland-based position during the four calendar quarters reported before you file a claim or begin leave, whichever comes first.8Maryland FAMLI. About the Program That’s roughly 13 hours per week over a year, so many part-time and seasonal workers will meet the threshold.
The maximum weekly benefit is $1,000, with the actual amount tied to your average weekly wage compared to the state average.1Maryland FAMLI. Paid Family and Medical Leave Is Coming to Maryland Benefits can run up to 12 weeks per benefit year, with the possibility of an additional 12 weeks if a worker qualifies under a different category during the same year (for example, bonding leave followed by a serious personal health condition).
Self-employed Maryland residents are not automatically covered. They will be able to opt in, with rules and processes expected in 2028, and anyone who opts in must stay in the program for at least three years before withdrawing.8Maryland FAMLI. About the Program9Maryland General Assembly. Maryland Code Labor and Employment Title 8.3 – Family and Medical Leave Insurance Program
Dates Employers Need Before 2027
Several deadlines fall well before the January 2027 contribution start.
Private plan intent, by November 15, 2026. Employers who want to run their own leave program through a commercial insurer or self-insured arrangement, and who want to skip paying into the state fund during the initial seeding period, must file a Declaration of Intent with the FAMLI Division between September 1, 2026, and November 15, 2026. Full private plan applications become available in 2027. Any private plan must offer benefits and protections equal to or better than the state program.10Maryland FAMLI. Private Plans11Maryland Department of Labor. FAMLI Frequently Asked Questions – Private Plans
Small-employer self-insured option, by July 31, 2026. Employers with fewer than 50 employees can pursue a self-insured plan only if they already have a FAMLI-compliant plan in place by this date.10Maryland FAMLI. Private Plans
Pre-deduction notice, at least one pay period before January 1, 2027. Employers must tell employees that payroll deductions are starting at least one pay period in advance.12Maryland FAMLI. For Employers
General employee notice, starting July 2027. Six months before benefits open, employers must begin giving employees formal FAMLI notices. After that initial round, notice is required at hire, once a year, when an employee requests leave or signals they want to take it, and whenever the employer learns an employee is on leave for a qualifying reason.12Maryland FAMLI. For Employers The Department of Labor plans to release a customizable template.
Employers also need to be ready to hold a worker’s job during FAMLI leave, continue health benefits through the leave period, and restore the employee to the same or an equivalent position on return.12Maryland FAMLI. For Employers Retaliation for requesting or using FAMLI leave is prohibited under the Time to Care Act.