Labor & Employment (Paid Leave)

signed · Maine · House Apr 13, 2026

LD 2018: An Act To Amend The Requirements Governing Self-Insurance Plans In The Paid Family And Medical Leave Benefits Program

This bill updates Maine's Paid Family and Medical Leave program by requiring employers with self-insured private plans to post a financial bond with a state-authorized surety company. It also prohibits these employers from pooling risk, financial resources, or administrative functions with other employers in the program. The changes apply retroactively to April 1, 2025, affecting any self-insured plans operating under the program from that date forward.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill strengthens worker protections by requiring financial bonds and prohibiting risk pooling in self-insured paid leave plans, ensuring program stability and benefit security.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Paid Leave

signed · Maine · Senate Jun 12, 2025

LD 894: An Act To Amend The Laws Governing Paid Family And Medical Leave

This bill amends Maine's paid family and medical leave laws to clarify employee leave options and strengthen program administration. It specifies that employees may take leave in hourly increments only if agreed upon with their employer, and creates a dedicated Bureau of Paid Family and Medical Leave within the Department of Labor to manage the program. The bill adds enforcement tools for unpaid employer payments, including civil lawsuits and property levies, and holds successor businesses liable for unpaid premiums from acquired employers. It also establishes fines for employers whose private leave plans lapse during approved substitutions, with collected fines directed to the state fund. These changes primarily affect Maine employers participating in the paid leave program and employees seeking leave benefits.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareStrengthens medical leave access by mandating employer compliance, creating dedicated oversight, and ensuring employees can take time off for health needs without financial penalty.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentStrengthens paid leave program with dedicated bureau, enforcement tools for unpaid leave, and clarifies employee options - protects workers' rights under Labor & Employment.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Paid Leave

signed · Maine · House Jun 10, 2025

LD 1221: Resolution, Proposing An Amendment To The Constitution Of Maine To Prohibit The Legislature From Using Paid Family And Medical Leave Program Funds For Any Other Purpose

LD 1221 proposes a constitutional amendment to Maine's Constitution, specifically adding Article IX, Section 26. It would require that all money raised from taxes, fees, or other sources related to Maine's paid family and medical leave program must be used *only* for program benefits and administration, prohibiting the legislature from diverting these funds to other purposes. This amendment would require voter approval in a statewide referendum held in November 2026. If approved, it would legally bind the state to keep all program-related revenues exclusively for that program's costs. The bill directly affects how Maine manages its paid family and medical leave program funding.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill secures dedicated funding for Maine's paid family/medical leave program, preventing diversion of funds from healthcare-related benefits and administration.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill ensures paid family/medical leave funds are exclusively used for benefits/administration, protecting worker benefits and preventing defunding of employment protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Paid Leave

failed · Maine · Senate May 20, 2025

LD 575: An Act To Ensure Equitable Access To The Paid Family And Medical Leave Benefits Program By Removing The Requirement That Leave Must Be Scheduled To Prevent Undue Hardship On The Employer

This bill removes a requirement that employees must schedule their paid family or medical leave to avoid causing "undue hardship" for their employer. It directly affects Maine workers who use the state's paid leave program, including those needing time for childbirth, illness, or caring for family members. The key change eliminates the need for employees to coordinate leave timing with employers based on potential business disruption. As a result, employees can take leave when needed without first seeking employer approval for scheduling, making the program more accessible.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves scheduling barriers for medical/leave, improving access to healthcare services for workers needing time for illness, childbirth, or family care.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRemoves employer hardship requirement, allowing workers to take leave as needed without scheduling constraints, directly expanding access to paid leave benefits.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Labor Standards Paid Leave

Track

failed · Maine · House Jun 3, 2025

LD 1333: An Act To Make Changes To The Paid Family And Medical Leave Benefits Program

LD 1333 updates Maine's Paid Family and Medical Leave program to clarify eligibility and administration. It requires employees to have worked for an employer for at least 120 days to qualify, shortens the deadline for filing leave applications from 90 to 30 days after leave begins, and adjusts employer contribution rules: companies with 15+ workers can deduct 50% of premiums from employee wages and send 100% to the fund, while smaller employers send 50%. The bill also specifies that leave under this program runs concurrently with federal FMLA, and defines "self-employed" to include small business owners with fewer than 15 employees. These changes directly affect Maine workers seeking leave and their employers managing contributions.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareClarifies eligibility and administration of paid medical leave, improving access to healthcare services without income loss for workers.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentClarifies eligibility and funding for paid family leave, expanding worker benefits under Maine's program while maintaining program sustainability.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Paid Leave

Track

failed · Maine · House Jun 5, 2025

LD 1400: An Act To Exempt Certain Public School Districts And Their Employees From The Paid Family And Medical Leave Benefits Program

This bill exempts Maine public school districts and their employees from the state's paid family and medical leave program if they already provide benefits equivalent to the state program through union contracts or formal agreements. Specifically, districts must have offered substantially equivalent leave benefits (including at least 12 weeks annually for sick/family leave) via collective bargaining as of January 1, 2025, and must continue maintaining these benefits. The bill requires the Department of Labor to refund all past contributions made by qualifying districts, and mandates that districts return any employee deductions made toward these premiums. It applies retroactively to October 25, 2023, covering contributions made before the exemption took effect.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill allows collective bargaining agreements providing equivalent benefits to exempt districts from state program, supporting existing worker protections through union contracts.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining Paid Leave

Track

signed · Maine · House Jul 1, 2025

LD 55: An Act To Amend The Law Governing The Accrual Of Earned Paid Leave

LD 55 amends Maine's earned paid leave law to require employers to provide employees with one hour of paid leave for every 40 hours worked, up to the limit specified in the employer's paid leave policy. It mandates that unused earned leave from the previous year must carry forward and be available for use in the current year. The bill also ensures that carried-forward leave cannot reduce the amount of new leave an employee earns during the current year, up to the employer's specified accrual limit. This change directly affects Maine employees and employers covered by the state's paid leave law.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates carry-forward of unused leave and prevents reduction of new accruals, expanding worker benefits under earned paid leave law (LD 55).95% confidence

Sub-Topics Labor Standards Paid Leave