Important Update for Businesses : Maryland FAMLI Program Deadlines & Preparation

As a benefits broker, we want to ensure you are ahead of the curve regarding the upcoming Maryland Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FAMLI) program. If you are an employer with at least one employee working in Maryland, it will soon be MANDATORY to register at Maryland Family and Medical Leave Insurance. By default, all employers are enrolled in the state plan. However, we can help you evaluate private FAMLI-compliant insurance alternatives that will lower overall costs and improve employee experiences.

FAMLI is a state insurance program that ensures workers can take paid, job-protected time off for major life events, including:

• Employee’s own medical needs
• Caring for a family member
• Parental leave (birth or adoption)
• Family member’s military deployment or leave

Employees may earn up to $1,000 a week for up to 12 weeks of paid leave in a 12-month period. If an employee has their own serious health condition and welcomes a child in the same year, they could be eligible for up to a total of 24 weeks. The program will be funded through required payroll contributions from employers and/or employees, which may impact your overall payroll costs.

The state has finalized regulations, and key compliance deadlines are approaching quickly. While employee benefits do not kick in until 2028, mandatory contributions and employer registration will begin much sooner. Here are the critical dates and details you need to know to prepare:

• Employer Registration (September 1 – November 15, 2026): Online account registration is open, allowing you to establish your business account and identify your authorized officer. All employers MUST electronically register with the MD FAMLI Division.
• Private Plan Exemptions (September 1 – November 15, 2026):  If you prefer to use a private insurance plan rather than the state-run public plan, you will need to apply for a state exemption and file a Declaration of Intent (DOI) to use a private plan.
• Contributions Begin (January 2027): If enrolling in the state plan, employers will begin payroll deductions which will be submitted to the state quarterly. Employers and employees may split these contributions.
• Leave Benefits Begin (January 2028): Employee benefits become claimable under the program.

• Gain Knowledge: Review the Intro to FAMLI Packet of attached information at the link below.
• Compare Options: Complete and return the Employee Census linked below at your earliest convenience so we may research private plan alternatives.
• Evaluate Your Plan: Schedule a brief call to discuss whether the state plan or a private plan alternative is best for your company's size and current benefits structure.