Key committees in the Maryland Senate and the House of Delegates moved forward with a measure that would establish a statewide paid family and medical leave program, but proposed different paths to get there.
The Time to Care Act would guarantee workers 12 weeks of paid leave following childbirth or to take care of themselves or a family member experiencing serious health issues. Depending on their salary, Marylanders — who worked either part-time or full-time for at least 680 hours in the last year — would receive a partial wage replacement of between $50 and $1,000 a week.
The program would work by establishing a statewide family leave insurance program, which would include contributions from both workers and employers. However, self-employed individuals would not be required to contribute to the fund.
Lawmakers and advocates have spent years trying to pass a statewide paid family leave program, and so having the bills voted out of committee marked a big step forward.
The Senate Finance Committee approved a bill on Wednesday that would allow Marylanders to start claiming benefits in 2025 — a nine-month delay from the original bill. Continue reading at Maryland Matters.
Photo: Advocates rallied in Annapolis for paid family leave legislation earlier this year. Photo by Elizabeth Shwe.
