Maine

Be in the Know: New Rules on Leave

Maine has recently passed legislation joining 15 other states requiring paid medical leave (PML) and paid family leave (PFL) income replacement benefits for eligible workers who need time off from work for qualifying reasons.

Coverage and cost

Learn more about your state rules and eligibility.

Mother and daughter reading

Covered employers

All employers are covered except the federal government, tribes and self employed.

Coverage options

Employers may use the state or a private state-approved plan.

Cost

The contribution rate will be determined during rulemaking but cannot exceed the maximum 1% of total taxable wage base.

Employee eligibility

Individuals who have earned at least six times the state average weekly wage in wages subject to premiums during the individual’s base period.

Daughter looking over her father

Leave Reasons

Caring for a family member, bonding, medical, qualifying exigency, military caregiver and safe leave. 

Job protection

Job protection is included if an employee has been employed with their current employer for 120 days.

Benefits

Employees will receive 90% of their average weekly wage on a sliding scale.

  • 12 weeks of paid leave per benefit year.
Calendar Icon

Timeline and key dates

Contributions for the program begin January 01, 2025

Benefits begin May 01, 2026

Need more information?

Visit Maine’s website for additional details

lightbulb icon

How Unum can help

Unum is committed to working toward solutions to assist our clients with employees in Maine. We will provide updates on our offering as more information about the program becomes available.

Have questions?

Reach out to our sales team to learn more about state PFML and absence management solutions from Unum.