Mayer & Steinberg Presents
Maryland FAMLI: What Employers Need to Know Now
A Free 30-Minute Webinar for Maryland Businesses
- Date
- Tuesday, October 6, 2026
- Time
- 10:30–11:00 a.m. ET
- Format
- Live on Zoom
Hosted and sponsored by Mayer & Steinberg, Inc.
Featuring Maryland FAMLI specialists from Columbia Group
Presenter details coming soon
Maryland’s Paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance program will create important responsibilities, deadlines and decisions for businesses with employees working in Maryland. Join Mayer & Steinberg and FAMLI specialists from Columbia Group for a clear, practical overview of the program—and the steps employers can begin taking now.
Zoom registration is opening soon. Join the notification list and we'll email you the official registration link as soon as it becomes available.
Maryland Employers Are Entering an Important Preparation Period
Registration
Employers with at least one employee working in Maryland are required to register.
April 2027
Quarterly wage-and-hour reporting and State Plan contribution remittance begin.
January 2028
Eligible employees may begin receiving FAMLI benefits.
Considering a private plan? Important decisions and filing deadlines arrive before benefits begin.
Program Overview
What Is Maryland FAMLI?
Maryland Family and Medical Leave Insurance—commonly called FAMLI or PFML—is a statewide paid-leave program. It is intended to help eligible workers take time away from work for significant family, medical and military-related needs while receiving partial wage replacement and job protection.
New Child
Bond with a newborn or a child placed through adoption, foster care or kinship care.
Personal Health
Take leave for an eligible serious health condition requiring treatment, hospitalization or continuing care.
Family Care
Care for an eligible family member with a serious health condition.
Military Family Needs
Care for an injured service member or address qualifying needs related to a family member's deployment.
By the Numbers
FAMLI at a Glance
Up to 12 Weeks
Paid leave during a benefit year for an approved qualifying event.
Up to 90%
Potential wage replacement based on the employee's average weekly wage.
Up to $1,000 Per Week
The current maximum weekly benefit.
Job Protection
Eligible employees generally have the right to return to the same or an equivalent position, with applicable health benefits maintained during leave.
In certain special circumstances involving a worker’s own serious health condition and bonding with a new child during the same benefit year, up to 24 weeks may be available. Eligibility and approved leave amounts depend on the individual situation and applicable program rules.
Applicability
Does Maryland FAMLI Apply to Your Business?
If your organization has at least one employee working in Maryland, it is required to register and participate through either the Maryland State Plan or an approved private plan. The requirements also apply to small employers, although responsibility for funding the employer portion differs based on employer size.
Fewer Than 15 Employees
- Must register and participate
- Must submit required reports
- Employee contributions remain due
- The employer is not required to fund an employer share under the current State Plan structure
15 or More Employees
- Must register and participate
- Must submit required reports
- Responsible for the full contribution rate
- May withhold up to the permitted employee portion from employees' wages
The current total State Plan contribution rate for 2027 is 0.90% of wages up to the applicable Social Security wage cap. Employees may be responsible for up to 0.45%. Some employers may choose to pay all or part of the employee contribution.
State Plan vs. Private Plan
An Important Employer Decision
Employers will participate through the Maryland State Plan unless they apply for and receive approval for a private plan that meets or exceeds State requirements. The right choice may depend on cost, administration, workforce needs and the desired employee experience.
Maryland State Plan
- State-administered program
- State determines contribution rates
- State handles benefit claims and payments
- Employers submit required reports and remit applicable contributions to the State
Approved Private Plan
- Must meet or exceed State requirements
- May be fully insured or self-insured
- Pricing and administration may vary
- The carrier or employer administers claims
- Employee contributions cannot exceed the permitted State Plan employee share
- Employers still have reporting and recordkeeping responsibilities
Important Private-Plan Planning Window
Employers considering a private plan who want to avoid remitting State Plan contributions while their application is pending may need to submit a Declaration of Intent between September 1 and November 15, 2026.
Requirements and deadlines are subject to current Maryland guidance. Webinar presenters will explain the process and considerations in greater detail.
Preparation Checklist
What Employers Will Need to Do
Maryland employers should prepare to:
- Register their organization with Maryland FAMLI
- Decide between the State Plan and an approved private plan
- Submit electronic quarterly wage-and-hour reports beginning in April 2027
- Remit applicable contributions beginning in 2027
- Prepare payroll systems for employee deductions
- Provide required employee notices
- Understand how FAMLI interacts with existing leave policies
- Maintain required employment and health-benefit protections during approved leave
- Establish procedures for responding to employee leave requests
- Keep required plan, contribution, claims and reporting records
For Your Team
What Could FAMLI Mean for Employees?
Beginning in January 2028, eligible Maryland workers may be able to take paid, job-protected leave for qualifying family, medical or military-related needs.
- Up to 12 weeks of paid leave during a benefit year
- Benefits calculated using the employee's wages
- Up to 90% wage replacement, subject to the $1,000 weekly maximum
- Continuous or intermittent leave may be available
- No general waiting period before approved benefits begin
- Employees working in Maryland participate through their employer's State or approved private plan
- Employee payroll deductions may begin in January 2027
- Employees generally cannot opt out of required participation
What the Webinar Will Cover
Get Clear Answers Before the Deadlines Arrive
FAMLI Basics
What the program is and why Maryland created it.
Key Dates
When registration, reporting, contributions, notices and benefits begin.
Employer Responsibilities
What businesses of different sizes will need to do.
State and Private Options
How the two approaches differ and what employers should consider.
Employee Impact
Potential benefits, payroll deductions and qualifying leave situations.
Practical Next Steps
Actions employers can take now to prepare their business, payroll and workforce.
The program will conclude with time for questions.
Audience
Who Should Attend?
Maryland business owners
Human resources professionals
Finance and payroll leaders
Benefits decision-makers
Office and operations managers
Accountants and professional advisors
Employees who want to understand how the program may affect them
Presenters
Guidance From FAMLI Specialists
Mayer & Steinberg is hosting this educational webinar with FAMLI specialists from Columbia Group, the organization behind MDFAMLI.com. Columbia Group provides information about Maryland FAMLI, employer responsibilities and State and approved private-plan considerations.
Presenter names and titles will be announced soon.
Registration Details Coming Soon
Be the First to Receive the Registration Link
The official Zoom registration page is coming soon. Submit your information below, and Mayer & Steinberg will email you when registration opens.
Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Don’t Wait Until the Deadlines Are Here
Understand the program, identify the decisions your organization must make and start preparing with greater confidence.
Tuesday, October 6 • 10:30–11:00 a.m. ET • Live on Zoom