Legal Bulletins

After several postponements, the Maryland Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FAMLI) program is launching this fall. 

Every employer with at least one employee working in Maryland must register with the FAMLI program now. This requirement applies regardless of the employer's size or whether the company is headquartered in Maryland. There are no exceptions based on headcount. Employers with employees working remotely from Maryland are also required to register. 

FAMLI is a new paid leave benefit that will allow all eligible employees working in Maryland to take up to 12 weeks of paid, job-protected leave to care for a new child, address their own serious health condition, care for a family member with a serious health condition, or manage certain military family needs. Payroll contributions begin in January 2027, and benefits become available January 1, 2028. Employees may receive up to $1,000 per week while on approved leave.

Employers may choose to work with a Third-Party Agent (TPA), such as CPAs, payroll providers, or benefit administrators to help manage responsibilities under FAMLI, which will include submitting quarterly wage and hour reports, remitting contributions, and giving notice to employees about FAMLI, or apply to use a commercial private plan or self-insure the benefits.  However, TPA’s and private plans cannot complete the initial registration on behalf of any company. Every entity with employees in Maryland and a distinct federal Employer Identification Number (EIN) will need an Authorized Officer, someone who is legally permitted to act in an official capacity on behalf of an employer, such as an owner, partner, executive director, or CEO, CFO, CCO, or similar position to log into the FAMLI portal to create an account. Registration is open here and should be completed by November 15th: Register with Maryland Family and Medical Leave Insurance | Maryland FAMLI.

For more information concerning FAMLI and its requirements, listen to the latest episode of the Gordon Feinblatt Podcast, which includes a conversation with Lisa Klingenmaier, Deputy Policy Director at Maryland Family Network and Campaign Manager for the Time to Care Coalitiona,and Elliot Schreur, Assistant Secretary for FAMLI at the Maryland Department of Labor, here.  

For additional questions about FAMLI please contact Charles R. Bacharach, Alexandria K. Montanio or Morgan Thomas Harried. 

Charles R. Bacharach
410-576-4169 • cbacharach@gfrlaw.com

Alexandria K. Montanio
410-576-4278 • amontanio@gfrlaw.com

 Morgan Thomas Harried 
410-576-4192 • mharried@gfrlaw.com