Maryland's Family Medical Leave Insurance Program, also known as the Time to Care Act, which provides up to 12 weeks of paid leave (or 24 weeks in certain circumstances) through a state-run insurance program has been delayed.

Senate Bill 828, which Governor Wes Moore is expected to sign, amends the law in some of the following ways:

• Delays employer and employee contributions until October 1, 2024.
• Delays benefit payments to covered employees to January 1, 2026.
• Employer/employee contribution rates are established at 50/50 percent.
• The total rate of contribution cannot exceed 1.2% of an employee's wages.
• Employees won’t be required to exhaust all employer-paid leave; however, employers will have the right to coordinate this paid leave with other paid leave programs provided by the employer.

The bottom line is that no contributions are required during 2023. So, those who handle benefits and budgets in 2023 are gifted another year of reprieve before having to tackle these complications in 2024.

Stay tuned for more information and guidance about options to comply with this new law.