Maine Labor Law Changes to be Aware of Bookmark and Share

September 24, 2025

For Immediate Release: September 24, 2025

Maine Labor Law Changes to be Aware of

AUGUSTA - The Maine Department of Labor is reminding the public of multiple laws going into effect today, September 24.

  • Accrual of Earned Paid Leave: Allows employees to carry over unused Earned Paid Leave to the next year and to accrue the statutory minimum or employer provided amount of Earned Paid Leave, whichever is higher, next year. (PL 2025, c.438)

  • Expanded Access to the Maine Wage Assurance Fund: Allows workers to receive up to four weeks of wages and liquidated damages from the Wage Assurance Fund when the employer has no assets to use to pay the worker the full wages and damages they are entitled to. (PL 2025, c.192)

  • Minimum Pay for Reporting to Work: Requires employers to make a good faith effort to notify workers of a cancelled or shortened shift, or to pay the lesser of 2 hours wages or the remainder of the shift if alternative work cannot be assigned, with limited exceptions for events the employer cannot control. (PL 2025, c.418)

  • Work Search Waiver for Individuals with a Definite Recall Date Current law allows a 6-week work search waiver for individuals on a temporary layoff who have a definite return to work date with their current or former employer. Beginning September 24, the 6-week waiver will be placed at the end of the layoff period, based on the date the individual stated they are going back to work. The waiver will no longer apply to the beginning of the layoff period. (PL 2025, c. 235, Sec. 11)

  • Paid Family & Medical Leave: Technical changes were made to employer successorships, collections mechanisms, and organization structure. (PL 2025, c. 277)

  • Establishing a Minimum Wage for Agricultural Workers: Beginning January 1, 2026, workers employed to perform agricultural labor will be covered by the state minimum wage. Beginning January 1, 2026, the state minimum wage will be $15.10/hour. (PL 2025, c. 232)

To keep up to date with Maine Department of Labor news, visit https://www.maine.gov/labor/