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On July 11, 2023, Governor Mills signed an historic budget that includes the creation of a paid family and medical leave program, making Maine the 13th state to establish one. Beginning in 2026, eligible workers in the private and public sector will have 12 weeks of paid time off available to them for family or medical reasons including illness, to care for a relative, or for the birth of a child.

Maine’s Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) Program was enacted through 2023 Public Law Chapter 412. The PFML law is included in Part AAA. An excerpted copy of the law, specific to Part AAA, can be found here.

  • October 2023: The budget goes into effect
  • January 2024: Maine Department of Labor begins rulemaking process
  • January 1, 2025: Initial rules necessary for implementation of the Paid Family and Medical Leave program must be adopted by the Maine Department of Labor
  • January 1, 2025: Contributions to the Paid Family Medical Leave fund will begin
  • May 1, 2026: Paid Family and Medical Leave benefits scheduled to begin

The rulemaking process will include an informal period for collecting information prior to the formal process required by the Maine Administrative Procedures Act (MAPA). MAPA requires the Maine Department of Labor post draft rules for public comment for a period of at least thirty days. During this comment period, the Department intends to hold a public hearing in order to gather feedback on the drafted rules as well as collect written comments. Final adoption of the rules requires the Department to provide a response to all public comments.


Later this fall, the Department will add ways to stay informed here. In the meantime, updates will be posted on this web page.