New Maine law gives most workers 12 weeks paid time off for ‘family and medical leave’ News
Carol Boldt, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
New Maine law gives most workers 12 weeks paid time off for ‘family and medical leave’

Maine Governor Janet Mills signed L.D. 1964 into law on Tuesday, requiring employers to give most employees up to 12 weeks of paid time off for family or medical reasons. The bill is part of a larger supplemental budget that Mills also signed into law.

Effective starting in 2026, the law implements a paid family and medical leave benefits program that entitles eligible employees to take leave for certain family and medical reasons. The law covers almost all public, private and self-employed employers. The law does not cover employees of the federal government. Under the new law, employees can take leave to care for themselves, family members and for maternity as well as paternity leave. Employees can take leave to care for family members or to take care of individuals with which they have a “significant personal bond that is or is like a family relationship, regardless of biological or legal relationship.” The new law also makes it unlawful for employers to “retaliate” against employees that exercise their new rights.

During these leaves, eligible employees will receive paid benefits. Additionally, the law authorizes the assessment of a premium based on employee wages and authorizes tribal governments to elect to participate in the program. Absent an emergency, employees must provide “reasonable notice” to employers about their planned leaves. The paid benefits under the program are not subject to Maine’s state income tax. The law tasks the Maine Department of Labor with administering the program.

In response to signing the bill into law, Mills stated:

This historic budget delivers on my guiding belief that the way to build a stronger, more prosperous state is to invest in the infrastructure that Maine people need to succeed. From establishing a paid family and medical leave program to strengthening education, housing, child care, our workforce, and delivering tax relief for seniors, this budget makes transformative investments in Maine people.

Additionally, in response to the law, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre stated:

Paid family and medical leave improves the lives of working families and strengthens our workforce and economy. The Biden-Harris Administration has worked to make the Federal government a model by supporting Federal employees in accessing the leave they need and continues to call for a national, comprehensive paid family and medical leave program. We applaud states like Maine that are making progress on this critical issue.

Maine is the thirteenth state to enact a paid family and medical leave law, along with Washington D.C.

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