AUGUSTA - In May, the Maine Department of Labor (MDOL) published its proposed rules for the state's new paid family and medical leave (PFML) program, which was created in 2023 as part of the supplemental budget enacted by the Legislature and signed by Gov. Janet Mills.
Today, the final day for public comment on the proposed rules, Sen. Mattie Daughtry, D-Brunswick, and Rep. Kristen Cloutier, D-Lewiston, applauded MDOL for its work during the rulemaking process and offered written feedback on four proposed provisions.
"I commend the Maine Department of Labor and the paid family and medical leave team for their work on the proposed rules for Maine's PFML program," said Daughtry. "Rep. Cloutier and I have both experienced moments in our lives when we could have benefited from a program like this. Soon, Mainers will no longer be faced with the difficult decision of whether or not they can take time away from work to care for a family member in need. While we understand there is still more work to be done to ensure that the voices of Maines businesses and workers are both being heard, we are listening and we are fully engaged in meeting those needs."
"The department's thoughtful approach and careful attention to detail throughout the rulemaking process will result in a stronger paid family and medical leave program for Maine workers, families and businesses," said Cloutier. "As we were drafting the original legislation, it was always a top priority for us to incorporate the feedback we heard from thousands of employers and employees across the state. This public engagement has helped craft a program that will better meet the needs of all Mainers, and I look forward to reviewing the final rules once they are published."
The feedback provided by Daughtry and Cloutier included suggestions regarding provisions of the program such as the required notice of leave, premium contributions from employers with approved private equivalent plans, the minimum amount of leave that must be offered in order for a private plan to be considered substantially equivalent, and the provisions clarifying the affinity relationships covered by the program.
Maine's PFML program will offer eligible workers in the private and public sector 12 weeks of paid time off for family or medical reasons, including illness, to care for a loved one or for the birth of a child. Payroll contributions to the program are scheduled to begin in January 2025, with benefits set to become available in May 2026.
Contact:
Brian Lee [Cloutier], 305-965-2744
Christine Kirby [Daughtry], 207-294-2468