Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML)
Maryland
The Division of Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FAMLI)
Effective: 01/01/26
Last updated: 01/16/24
State website: labor.maryland.gov/famli/
Maryland Paid Family and Medical Leave (MD PFML) Plan Details
Summary:
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State or private plan: (insured or self-insured). |
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Mandatory coverage: For all employers in Maryland, including the federal and local government with at least one employee working in Maryland. Sole owners of an LLC or proprietorship without any employees are exempt. |
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Maximum benefit: $1,000 (Through 1/1/2027). |
| Coverage details |
Symetra is still in the process of determining whether we will administer MD PFML. State plan contributions begin 10/1/24 and benefits begin 1/1/26. |
| Covered employers |
All Employers with one or more employees working in the state are eligible. Includes state and local government employers with at least one employee working in Maryland. Sole owners of an LLC or proprietorship without any employees are exempt. |
| Covered individuals |
All employees who have worked at least 680 hours in the 12-month period immediately preceding the date leave begins.
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| Contribution amount |
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| Waiting period |
There is no waiting period. Benefits are payable on the first day of leave. |
| Benefit calculation |
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| Maximum weekly benefit amount |
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| Minimum weekly benefit amount |
$50 a week. |
| Other income amount offsets |
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| Maximum duration: Family leave or medical leave |
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| Maximum duration: Combined medical and family leave |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the qualifying leave reasons?
The qualifying reasons for MD PFML include all of the following reasons:
The covered individual’s own serious health condition.
To bond with a new child within the first 12 months after birth, adoption, or foster placement or kinship care.
To care for a family member experiencing a serious health condition.
To care for a service member who is the covered individual’s next of kin.
Qualifying exigency arising out of the deployment of a service member who is a family member.
What is the definition of family member?
Family member means the covered individual’s:
- Spouse
- Child (biological, adopted, foster, step, child of whom the employee has legal or physical custody or guardianship, in loco parentis)
- Ward of the covered individual or the covered individual’s spouse
- Parent (biological, adoptive, foster, stepparent, or person in loco parentis of the covered individual or the covered individual’s spouse)
- Legal guardian of the covered individual
- Domestic partner
- Grandparent (biological, adoptive, foster, step)
- Grandchild (biological, adoptive, foster, step)
- Sibling (biological, adopted, foster, step)
What is the taxable wage base?
The wages used for contributions is capped at the Social Security Maximum of $168,600 for 2024, and is updated annually.
What is the State Average Weekly Wage?
$1,456. The State Average Weekly Wage is effective from July 1 to July 1. The State Average Weekly Wage is subject to change annually.
How do we determine the benefit year?
The "application year" is the 12-month period beginning on the Sunday of the calendar week for which benefits are approved.
Can leave be taken on an intermittent leave basis?
- Yes. Leave is allowed on an intermittent or reduced leave schedule. A covered employee must make a reasonable attempt to schedule intermittent leave so as not to unduly disrupt the employer’s operations.
- Intermittent leave must be taken in increments of at least four hours.
Is MD PFML leave job protected?
Yes. An employee is entitled to equivalent position restoration following leave unless:
- Restoration would cause substantial and grievous economic injury to employer’s operations and;
- Employer gives notice to the Covered Individual of the Employer’s intent to deny restoration at the time the determination is made and;
- Employee elects not to return to work after receiving Employer’s notice of intent to deny restoration.
How does accrued paid leave apply to use of MD PFML?
- An employer cannot require a covered individual to use or exhaust employer-provided paid leave, paid vacation or sick time while receiving MD PFML.
- The covered individual and employer may agree to use vacation or sick time concurrently with MD PFML, but together the benefits may not exceed 100% of the covered individual’s Average Weekly Wages.
- However, the employer may require receipt of MD PFML benefits concurrently with leave or leave payments received under an employer parental or family care leave policy, military leave or a disability policy.
Symetra Life Insurance Company, 777 108th Avenue NE, Suite 1200, Bellevue, WA 98004.
First Symetra National Life Insurance Company of New York, New York, NY. Mailing address: P.O. Box 34690, Seattle, WA 98124.
Symetra Life Insurance Company is a direct subsidiary of Symetra Financial Corporation. First Symetra National Life Insurance Company of New York is a direct subsidiary of Symetra Life Insurance Company and is an indirect subsidiary of Symetra Financial Corporation (collectively, “Symetra”). Neither Symetra Financial Corporation nor Symetra Life Insurance Company solicits business in the state of New York and they are not authorized to do so. Each company is responsible for its own financial obligations.
Symetra® is a registered service mark of Symetra Life Insurance Company.
Symetra assumes no responsibility for the accuracy or timeliness of any information provided herein. The information contained herein is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice or a substitute for legal counsel. We recommend employers speak with legal counsel specializing in labor and employment law to ensure compliance with applicable PFML and PFL mandates.
The information on this page was updated as of April 2024.