An Act To Delay Payment Of Benefits Under The Paid Family And Medical Leave Benefits Program

LD 1249 delays Maine's Paid Family and Medical Leave Benefits Program implementation. It moves the program's effective date from January 1, 2026 to July 1, 2027, and postpones when claims processing begins from May 1, 2026 to November 1, 2027. The bill also adjusts related deadlines, including the actuarial study requirement for fund solvency from February 1, 2026 to August 1, 2027. This directly affects employers (who must start contributions on January 1, 2025) and employees (who will access benefits starting July 2027).