Family and Medical Leave Insurance Program - Covered Individuals - Alternatively Qualified Individuals

HB 824 expands Maryland's Family and Medical Leave Insurance Program to include "alternatively qualified individuals" who care for or bond with a child under specific circumstances. This group must have earned at least $7,200 in lifetime wages in Maryland, not qualify as standard covered employees or self-employed participants, and not receive comparable benefits elsewhere. The bill adds these individuals to the program's definition of "covered individual" (via new Section 8.3-703.1) and requires employers to allow them unpaid leave while receiving benefits. It directly affects workers who previously didn't qualify but meet the wage threshold and caregiving needs.