Family and Medical Leave Insurance Program - Revisions

HB 102 creates an optional enrollment program allowing self-employed individuals (like sole proprietors or small business owners with no employees) to join Maryland’s Family and Medical Leave Insurance Program. It repeals current requirements for self-employed people to pay contributions and be subject to benefit rules, instead requiring the Department of Labor to adopt regulations by July 2027 outlining contribution amounts, benefit levels, and enrollment steps. Self-employed participants must enroll for a minimum 3-year period initially, with options to renew annually. This bill directly affects self-employed Maryland residents seeking leave benefits, expanding program access beyond traditional employees.