AUGUSTA - On Thursday, the Maine House voted to give initial approval to LD 1964, An Act to Implement the Recommendations of the Commission to Develop a Paid Family and Medical Leave Benefits Program, sponsored by Sen. Mattie Daughtry, D-Brunswick, and Rep. Kristen Cloutier, D-Lewiston. The bill passed on a 79-65 vote following a 22-12 vote in the Senate on Wednesday
The amended version of the bill that has been adopted by both chambers can be found here.
"The proposal we voted on today is the result of years of tireless research and compromise. From the start of this process, our goal has always been to craft an equitable and inclusive PFML policy by Mainers, for Mainers and this legislation accomplishes that," said Rep. Cloutier. "Maine is currently the only state in New England that doesn't offer any version of PFML. Now, we've taken another significant step closer to joining them, making our economy more competitive and setting us on a path to improved health and well-being."
"After more than a decade of trying to create a paid family and medical leave plan for Maine, I'm more hopeful than ever that we can finally get this passed. This bill is a prime example of careful consideration and good-faith compromise," said Sen. Daughtry. "I'm grateful to see so many of our fellow legislators agree on the need for this kind of program in Maine."
Only 15 percent of American workers have access to any sort of paid leave, and fewer than 60 percent of the workforce has access to unpaid leave under the Family Medical Leave Act. Nationally, one in four women takes fewer than 11 days of parental leave after giving birth despite a recommended six- to eight-week recovery period. Fourteen other states and the District of Columbia have instituted a statewide paid family and medical leave program, including every other state in New England.
As amended by committee, employees and employers would split a wage contribution, equal to 1% or less of the employee's wage. Employers with 15 or fewer workers would not have to pay the contribution, but their employees would still be eligible. Employers who offer comparable or more comprehensive paid leave plans may opt out. Once an employee hits a certain contribution benchmark, they would be able to take up to 12 weeks of paid leave each year for qualifying life events. If the worker has been with their employer for at least 120 days, their job would be protected until they returned from leave.
Employees would be able to take time off for:
- The birth, adoption, or fostering of a child.
- Supporting a sick or dying loved one.
- Caring for an older family member.
- Recovery from surgery, an accident, substance use disorder, or other health challenges.
- Prepping for/transitioning back from a family members military deployment.
- Managing immediate safety needs if you or a family member are a victim of domestic or sexual violence.
The worker's wages would be replaced at a tiered rate, based on their average weekly income. Under the committee amendment, the benefit amount would be equal to 90% of a worker's wages for income earned up to half of Maine's average weekly wage, which is currently $1,036. That means the first $518 of a workers average weekly income would be replaced at 90%, which is $466.20. For income earned above that amount, the wage replacement would be 66% of earned pay. The total benefit cannot exceed the state average weekly wage.
The program is slated to cost approximately $12 million for start-up, and $14 million for the first year.
LD 1964, which has over 100 co-sponsors, is supported by Small Business Majority, Maine Council on Aging, Maine AFL-CIO, Maine Coalition to End Domestic Violence and AARP Maine.
The bill faces further votes in the House and Senate.
Contact:
Brian Lee [Cloutier], 305-965-2744
Lisa Haberzettl [Daughtry], 207-251-3548