Paid leave is the law - and we need your voice to make the program work for all Mainers.

Contributions begin January, 2025

On January 1, 2025 employers with at least one Maine-based employee will start payroll deductions for the PFML fund.

Visit maine.gov/paidleave for information and resources.

The Latest:

  • Maine Department of Labor Adopts Final Rules for PFML

After a comprehensive public process, the Maine Department of Labor issued the final rules that will govern the state's new Paid Family and Medical Leave program.

The rules can be found at maine.gov/paidleave.

  • Maine Department of Labor Releases Materials and Resources for Workers and Employers for 2025

Do you have questions about Maine’s new Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) program?

Visit maine.gov/paidleave for resources and materials for Maine’s Paid Family and Medical Leave program. Resources and materials include:

  • Webinar recordings for employees and employers

  • Paid Family and Medical Leave Labor Law Poster

  • What Employers Need to Know for 2025 one-page document

  • Frequent Asked Questions

Check updates from the Maine Department of Labor PFML program by visiting maine.gov/paidleave.

  • Maine Assessment of Parental Leave Experiences (MAPLE) Research Study

Did you recently give birth in Maine?

If you have a child under 2 and were working while you were pregnant with them, we want to hear from you! Researchers from The Roux Institute at Northeastern University in Portland are interested in how your leave experiences during this time.  Share your experiences in a short survey. Fill out there survey here: bit.ly/maple-survey

Eligible participants will receive a $15.00 gift card!

Questions about this research study? For more information contact l.smith@northeastern.edu

Publications:

Have you seen our latest publications that help explain certain aspects of the Paid Family & Medical Leave law? Click on the images below to take a look, download, and share!

What’s in the Law Explainer

Older Updates

Privatization & PFML

  • The proposed rules outline details not explained in the PFML law, including the application procedures, notice requirements and the process for employers to apply for a private plan substitution. 

    The Maine Department of Labor released proposed rules for public comment on May 20, 2024 and again on August 28, 204. The last public comment period closed on September 30, 2024. Hundreds of people provided feedback on the proposed rules, offering nearly 1,600 comments, to help MDOL develop Maine’s new paid family and medical leave program.

    For more information on the PFML program visit maine.gov/paidleave

  • The Paid Family and Medical Leave Benefits Authority is a fifteen member body created to advise on the administration of the Paid Family and Medical Leave program. Eleven of the fifteen members are appointed by the Governor and reviewed by the joint standing committee on Labor and Housing and confirmed by the Maine State Senate.

    To view current Authority members and access meetings and minutes visit maine.gov/paidleave/authority.

  • October 25, 2023 is 90 days from when Governor Janet Mills signed the state’s budget, making the PFML policy law. The law includes a year of planning the program through December 31, 2024. After this planning period, contributions will begin January 2025 and benefits will be available May 2026. There will be opportunities to be involved in the planning process to implement a strong program for Maine workers.

  • Maine Department of Labor released a statement about their plan to start the rulemaking process in the Fall of 2023 for the new Paid Family Medical Leave Program.

    October 2023 the budget will go into effect and DOL will begin the rulemaking process.

    It will start with an informal information gathering, followed by a formal process.

    To find Department of Labor updates visit: https://www.maine.gov/labor/pfml

  • Maine Governor Janet Mills signs paid family and medical leave system into law through the state budget addendum on July 11, 2023.

    We could not be more grateful to be in community with all of our coalition partners and wonderful advocates who have worked for years to make this happen.

    Join us and take a moment to thank your lawmakers for making PFML a reality!