Maine Paid Leave Contributions Portal – Coming Soon! The online system for employers to register their business information, designate a payroll processor, file quarterly wage reports, and remit quarterly premium contributions will be coming this winter. The portal will also allow self-employed individuals and tribal governments to elect coverage. Stay up to date by signing up for the PFML Get Notified List and learn more in our FAQ section below. |
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 Program is established in Title 26 § 850-A through § 850-R. The law can be found here: https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/statutes/26/title26sec850-A.html
The Department has issued updated proposed rules, which can be found here: https://www.maine.gov/labor/rulemaking/ .
Video
- Video of the initial rulemaking hearing in June can be found here:
June 10, 2024 (YouTube) - Video of the second public hearing on the proposed rule can be found here: September 17, 2024 (YouTube)
Listening Sessions
MDOL held informal listening sessions to provide an opportunity for interested parties to share invaluable feedback about components of the new Paid Family and Medical Leave legislation. Recordings of these sessions can be watched below:
- January 25, 2024 from 5:30pm-7pm - Contributions (YouTube)
- February 1, 2024 from 5:30pm-7pm - Eligibility (YouTube)
- February 12, 2024 from 5:30pm-7pm - Private Plans (YouTube)
- February 28, 2024 from 5:30pm-7pm - Any provisions related to the PFML law (YouTube)
These informal listening sessions do not replace and is in addition to the formal regulatory process governed by the Maine Administrative Procedures Act (MAPA).
- October 3, 2024 - Nearly 280 individuals gave comment on revised Paid Family and Medical Leave Rules
- September 30, 2024 –Maine Department of Labor Launches Statewide Education Initiative Ahead of 2025 Rollout of New Paid Family and Medical Leave Law
- August 28, 2024 – Maine Department of Labor Releases Revised Paid Family Medical Leave Rules for Public Comment
- July 9, 2024 - Nearly 300 individuals gave comment on proposed Paid Family Medical Leave Rules
- July 3, 2024 - MDOL Partnering with FAST Enterprises to Build PFML Online Contributions Portal
- July 1, 2024 - Paid Family Medical Leave Rules Public Comment Period Ending July 8
- June 4, 2024 - Opportunity for Public to Offer Comments on Paid Family Medical Leave Rules In-Person June 10
- May 20, 2024 - Maine Department of Labor Publishes Paid Family Medical Leave Rules for Public Comment
- March 12, 2024 - Paid Family and Medical Leave Benefits Authority Holds First Meeting
- January 30, 2024 - Maine Department of Labor Continues Listening Sessions on New Paid Family Medical Leave Program
- January 25, 2024 - Governor Mills Announces Nominations to New Paid Family and Medical Leave Benefits Authority
- July 11, 2023 – Governor Mills Signs Historic Budget Into Law
- PFML Program Established: October 25, 2023
- Authority Appointed: January 1, 2024
- Rulemaking begins: Spring 2024
- Payroll contributions begin: January 1, 2025
- Benefits begin: May 1, 2026
Director - Luke Monahan was born in Western Maine, and is the son of a small business owner. He attended Bowdoin College, and then Northeastern University for graduate studies. He started his career with case management non-profits in Southern Maine, working with jail diversion programs, with community support services for unhoused populations in Portland area, and with at risk youth diverted from secure detention. With the State of Maine, he brings over 12 years program administration experience with the Department of Corrections and Department of Health and Human Services. Most recently, he has acted as the Associate Director for the Division of Disability Determination Services with the Department of Health and Human Services, an office that was tasked with making the medical determinations of the Social Security Disability Insurance program.
Deputy Director – Reggie Parson currently serves as Deputy Director for the Maine Paid Family and Medical Leave Program with the Maine Department of Labor. Prior to his current role, he served as legislative staff in the House Majority Office and for two former Maine House Speakers from 2019 to 2023. He has a Master of Public Administration from the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh and a Juris Doctor with a Pro bono publico Award with distinction from the University of Maine School of Law.
This FAQ is based on the best information available prior to the adoption of rules for the PFML program. This information is subject to change.
- الأسئلة الشائعة: معلومات عامة (Word) (PDF) - Arabic
- FAQ: General Information (Word) (PDF) - English
- FAQ : Informations générales (Word) (PDF) - French
- FAQ: Enfòmasyon jeneral (Word) (PDF) - Haitian/Creole
- FAQ: Basango ya monene (Liloba) (PDF) - Lingala
- Perguntas frequentes: informação geral (Word) (PDF) - Portuguese
- FAQ: Macluumaadka Guud (Erayga) (PDF) - Somali
- Preguntas frecuentes: Información general (Word) (PDF) - Spanish
Note: Due to recent updates to the overview PowerPoint we are also in the process of updating the PowerPoints in Arabic, French, Haitian/Creole, Lingala, Portuguese, Somali and Spanish. Thank your for your patience at this time.
- نظرة عامة على الإجازة العائلية مدفوعة الأجر (PowerPoint) - Arabic
- Paid Family Leave Overview (PowerPoint) - English
- Aperçu du congé familial payé (PowerPoint) - French
- Apèsi sou Konje Fanmi Peye (PowerPoint) - Haitian Creole
- Botali ya mozindo ya konje ya libota oyo efutamaka (PowerPoint) - Lingala
- Visão geral da licença familiar remunerada (PowerPoint) - Portuguese
- Dulmarka Fasaxa Qoyska Lacag Bixin (PowerPoint) - Somali
- Descripción general de la licencia familiar remunerada (PowerPoint) - Spanish
- What employers need to know for 2025 - One-Pager (Word) (PDF)
- PFML Labor Poster (PDF) - English
- Affiche du travail du PFML (PDF) - French
- Cartaz Trabalhista da PFML (PDF) - Portuguese
- Boodhka Shaqada ee PFML (PDF) - Somali
- Afiche Laboral del PFML (PDF) - Spanish
Worker-Focused Webinars
Maine Paid Family and Medical Leave and Maine Paid Leave Coalition Webinar
- Date & Time: October 15, 2024 | 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
- YouTube | PowerPoint
Maine Paid Family and Medical Leave and Maine Immigrants' Rights Coalition Webinar
- Date & Time: October 22, 2024 | 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
- YouTube | PowerPoint
Employer-Focused Webinars
Maine Paid Family and Medical Leave and Maine State Chamber of Commerce Webinar
- Date & Time: October 16, 2024 | 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
- YouTube | PowerPoint
Maine Paid Family and Medical Leave and National Federation of Independent Business in Maine (NFIB) Webinar
- Date & Time: October 23, 2024 | 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
- YouTube | PowerPoint