Maryland PFML Program Delayed Yet Again

The Maryland General Assembly passed a bill on April 7, 2025, delaying certain implementation dates for Maryland’s paid family and medical leave insurance program (MD PFML). Maryland Governor Wes Moore is expected to sign the bill in the coming weeks.

Highlights of this recent legislation (H.B. 102) impacting MD PFML for employers to know include the following:

1. Effective date delay: The effective date of the program is now delayed to January 3, 2028.
2. Contribution start date delay: The start date for employer (those with 15 or more employees) and employee contributions to the program is delayed to January 1, 2027.

MD PFML Background

As we previously reported here, Maryland passed their own paid family/medical leave income replacement program in April 2022, called “A Time to Care Act of 2022.”

MD PFML was initially scheduled to become effective on January 1, 2025 with employee contributions scheduled to begin on October 1, 2023.

However, Governor Wes Moore subsequently signed amendments, first in 2023 and again in 2024, delaying MD PFML benefit and contribution effective dates. Click here and here for previous Risk Strategies articles detailing these previous MD PFML delays, along with key details of the MD PFML program.

The Maryland Department of Labor notified interested MD PFML stakeholders of this most recent delay in an email, stating that the decision to extend the MD PFML implementation timeline was due to “the unprecedented level of uncertainty resulting from recent federal actions.” Once Governor Moore signs the bill, the Maryland Department of Labor is expected to begin updating their MD PFML proposed regulations.

As a reminder, employers with less than 15 employees are not required to contribute to the program but their employees must still contribute.

MD PFML Timeline (as of April 2025)

Employer Impact

This most recent MD PFML implementation delay provides additional time for covered employers to begin preparations to implement the program, including updating payroll systems, handbooks, and leave policies, along with training Human Resources teams and managers on MD PFML requirements.

Employers with employees working in Maryland are advised to continue monitoring the Maryland Department of Labor MD PFML webpage for updates and guidance.

The Risk Strategies Absence Management team is here to help. You can contact us directly here.