The program will cover all Maine workers who contribute to the program fund. This includes full-time, part-time, seif-employed, and seasonal.

Workers will need to earn at least 6 times Maine's average weekly wage in the 12 months before their benefits begin. Maine’s current average weekly wage is about $1000.

Self-employed workers can opt into the program. Service members are also covered with different wage requirements.

Contributions are set to begin January 2025.

Employers and employees will each contribute a certain percentage of the employee’s weekly pay to the state fund. If you are a small business with less than 15 employees, you do not have to pay the employer contribution to the fund - and your staff can still be covered by the program if they meet other program requirements. Self-employed workers will only to pay the employee contribution. The contribution rate will likely be between .43% and .48% - with a maximum of 1% split between the employer and employee.

People can take leave for what the law calls qualified reasons. This includes to care for themselves or a family member with a serious health condition, to bond with a child after birth, adoption, or foster placement, and leave for victims of domestic violence, sexual violence, and stalking.

A person can take up to 12 weeks for a qualified reason in a benefit year. Paid leave will need to be taken at the same time as federal Family Medical Leave Act leave. The weekly benefit is determined by a person's income. It is capped at the state's average weekly wage, which is about $1,000 a week.

After 120 days of employment at a job, a person who takes leave is entitled to their job or an equivalent when they return to work.

Small businesses and self-employed workers do not contribute the employer portion to the fund. However, employees of the small business (and people who are self-employed) are still eligible to take leave if they meet other program requirements.