Podcast

Maryland’s Family and Medical Leave Insurance program, known as FAMLI, is set to bring paid family and medical leave to workers across the state. In this episode, Gordon Feinblatt employment and health care attorney Alex Montanio is joined by Elliot Schreur, Assistant Secretary of the Family and Medical Leave Insurance Division at the Maryland Department of Labor, and Lisa Klingenmaier, Deputy Policy Director at Maryland Family Network and Campaign Manager for the Time to Care Coalition, to discuss what employers and employees need to know as the program moves toward implementation.

The conversation covers FAMLI’s qualifying leave benefits, eligibility requirements, wage replacement, the broad definition of family, employer contributions, state and private plan options, intermittent leave, coordination with existing leave laws, and the potential impact on Maryland workplaces. Most importantly, the guests explain what Maryland employers need to do now—including registering with the Maryland Department of Labor and, for employers considering a private plan, the November 15, 2026 deadline to file a Declaration of Intent. With payroll contributions beginning January 1, 2027, employers should begin preparing now for this significant change to Maryland’s employment landscape.

Key Questions Discussed:

• What is Maryland FAMLI?
• Who is eligible for FAMLI benefits?
• What do Maryland employers need to do to prepare for FAMLI?
• When do FAMLI payroll contributions begin?
• What is the deadline for employers considering a private FAMLI plan?

EMPLOYERS - Register for FAMLI Here.

For questions regarding FAMLI, contact the Maryland Department of Labor Customer Care Center:
Phone: 410-525-1010 (Monday-Friday, 8am-4pm)
Email: paid.leave@maryland.gov

This episode of the Gordon Feinblatt Podcast, along with all of our previous episodes, can be listened to on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, and iHeart Radio.