The House of Delegates gave final approval to a paid family and medical leave program on Wednesday that would cover most Marylanders but does not specify how much employers and workers would have to contribute until an analysis is complete.
The Time to Care Act, sponsored by Sens. Antonio Hayes (D-Baltimore City) and Joanne Benson (D-Prince George’s), would offer Marylanders 12 weeks of partially paid family leave each year to care for themselves after a serious health issue and up to 24 weeks of paid leave for new parents.
This has been a long-time coming for Maryland, as state lawmakers have previously tried to establish a paid family leave program but instead created a task force to study and make recommendations for establishing such a benefit. Over the last two years, however, the coronavirus pandemic had laid bare the need for job-protected paid leave, as normal caretaking arrangements fell apart and more people had to take care of sick family members.
If this measure becomes law, Maryland would join the other nine other states — California, Colorado, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Washington, Rhode Island — and the District of Columbia in offering statewide paid family leave.
“I think it’s a huge step for Marylanders,” Del. C.T. Wilson (D-Charles), the chair of the House Economic Matters Committee, which also considered the bill, said in an interview after the final vote. “I really do believe that this is going to incentivize more individuals to come into the workforce…this is how we solve [the worker shortage] — by treating our workers better. This is how you give them value: by giving them benefits.”
Advocates who have been fighting for paid leave in Maryland for years commended the House for passing a program this year.
“It’s a really strong bill that reflects a great deal of thought to this very important issue, and it’s a very proud moment for those of us who have been supporting this for a long time,” said Clinton Macsherry, director of public policy for Maryland Family Network and a part of the Time to Care Coalition. Read more at Maryland Matters.
Photo: House Economic Matters Chair C.T. Wilson (D-Charles) defended a paid family leave bill on the floor of the House of Delegates on Wednesday afternoon. Photo by Danielle E. Gaines.
