Supporters of paid family and medical leave policy rallied on the steps of the Maine State House in June 2023. One month later the policy became law. (Courtesy of Maine Women’s Lobby)
Hundreds of workers and employers from various industries provided additional feedback on the proposed rules for Maine’s new paid family and medical leave program.
The Maine Department of Labor held a second public comment period throughout September for members of the public to offer their thoughts on the new benefit program slated to begin in May 2026. The department said it received almost 600 comments during that period, adding to the more than 1,000 comments it received during the initial comment period this summer.
“The additional 600 comments that the department has received during this second public comment period will go a long way to help craft a stronger PFML program for Maine workers, families and businesses,” said Sen. Mattie Daughtry (D-Cumberland) and Rep. Kristen Cloutier (D-Lewiston), cosponsors of the legislation that created the paid leave program, in a joint statement.
They added: “The public engagement throughout this entire process has ensured that the program is truly built by Mainers, for Mainers — and that it will meet the unique needs of our state.”
Luke Monahan, the paid family and medical leave director for the DOL, said he couldn’t speak to specific themes that came up in the second round of public feedback yet, but a summary and response to the comments will be available when the rules are finalized.
The department is required to adopt the rules by Jan. 1.
That is also when employers and employees will begin contributing a portion of wages to fund the program that will allow eligible public and private sector workers to take up to 12 weeks of paid leave for reasons such as illness, to care for a loved one or the birth of a new child.
Earlier this week, the DOL launched an education campaign to guide and support the 680,000 workers and 40,000 small employers that could be affected by the new program. It includes four webinars throughout October tailored to employees and employers to provide an overview of the program and discuss details such as eligibility and wage reporting.
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