Sen. Mattie Daughtry (D-Cumberland) and Rep. Kristen Cloutier (D-Lewiston) cheer supporters of paid family and medical leave who rallied at the Maine State House in May 2023. The bill was signed into law a month later. (Courtesy of Maine Paid Family Leave campaign)
With public input on the rules for the state’s Paid Family and Medical Leave wrapping up this week, the Maine Department of Labor is hosting a series of webinars to inform workers and employers about the new benefit.
Slated to begin in May 2026, paid family and medical leave 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.
However, to fund the new program, employers and employees will begin contributing a portion of wages on Jan. 1, 2025.
To prepare for those impending changes, the state is hosting four webinars throughout October to give an overview of the new law and discuss eligibility, premium amounts, wage reporting, job protections and more. The one-hour sessions will include time for attendees to ask questions.
“By ensuring everyone understands the timing, benefits and responsibilities of the law, we can make the transition smoother for all, creating a stronger, more resilient workforce and economy for our state,” said Maine Department of Labor Commissioner Laura Fortman.
Two of the webinars will be tailored for employees. They will be at 5 p.m. on Oct. 15 and Oct. 22. People interested in attending can register for the specific date they’d like to attend on Zoom.
The other two will be specific to employers and take place at noon on Oct. 16 and Oct. 23.
“It is vital that employers with at least one employee become familiar with key dates, responsibilities, and rights under this very impactful law,” said David Clough, Maine state director for the National Federation of Independent Business.
The department is partnering with four statewide organizations to help host the meetings — the Maine Immigrants’ Rights Coalition, the Maine Paid Leave Coalition, the National Federation of Independent Business and the Maine State Chamber of Commerce.
The info sessions are part of a larger education campaign about the new program that will also include radio, television and social media advertisements. Launched Monday, the campaign — called “It’s How We Care. It’s Who We Are”— is designed to guide and support the 680,000 workers and 40,000 small employers that could be affected by the new program, the department said in a news release Monday.
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