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AUGUSTA — The state’s new paid family and medical leave program launches today, making Maine the 13th state to offer workers time off for major life events.
Already, about 2,000 workers have asked for time off, said Luke Monahan, director of the program. Most of those are related to pregnancy or to spend time with a newborn or adopted child.
About one-third have to do with medical conditions and 10% are to take care of a loved one with a serious illness, he said.
“Everyone benefits if you have a workforce that’s stable and wants to stay in a job they are good at,” he said. “This really offers a path for people to remain in the workforce when life’s big challenges come up.”
In January 2025, workers started paying into the program through a new payroll tax to build a trust fund. Employers can cover the entire 1% deduction or divide it evenly with workers.
Workers who qualify can take up to 12 weeks paid time off — it’s a partial wage replacement — per year. Qualifying events include the birth or adoption of a child, serious illness or to care for a seriously ill family member, to prepare for a military deployment or to get help in instances of domestic violence.
About two-thirds of the workforce is covered by the state plan, which is administered by Aflac. The rest work for employers who offer their own plan that meets state requirements.
Monahan said those who are interested in taking time off need to coordinate with their employers. As the program was taking shape, business leaders from across the state expressed concern that it might be difficult for restaurants and other seasonal companies to be shorthanded during the tourist season.
That led to something called a hardship exemption in which employers can object if a leave is scheduled to occur during a particularly busy time.
“Maine is really the first state in the country to offer this,” Monahan said. “The provision allows for a proactive conversation between employees and their employers to work out a scheduling of leave that works for both parties.”
Senate President Mattie Daughtry (D-Brunswick) sponsored the legislation to create the program. She and other members of the Maine Paid Leave Coalition will mark the milestone today with events in Portland and Bangor.
“Our PFML program is the result of more than a decade of work to get this right for Maine, and it ensures Mainers can care for themselves and the people they love without risking their financial stability,” she said in a statement. “When people are supported, our workplaces and our economy are stronger too.”
To find out more, go to Maine.gov/paidleave.