MDFAMLI.com
A Columbia Group LLC Informational Resource
A Columbia Group LLC Informational Resource
Independent Resource: This website was created and is maintained by Columbia Group LLC, an independent insurance brokerage. MDFAMLI.com is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or operated by the Maryland Department of Labor or the State of Maryland.
Here's What Employers Should Know About Maryland PFML (FAMLI).
A clear explanation of Maryland's Paid Family & Medical Leave program, including State Plan requirements and approved private plan options for employers.
Per week in wage replacement
Of paid leave per benefit year
Right to return to your job
Maryland's Family and Medical Leave Insurance program
Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FAMLI) is the State of Maryland’s paid leave program. This initiative ensures that workers don't have to choose between their paycheck and caring for themselves or their loved ones during life's critical moments.
Participation in Maryland FAMLI is mandatory. There are no exemptions based on business size. All Maryland employers with at least one employee working in Maryland must participate through either the State Plan or an approved private plan.
Even if you only have one employee in Maryland, you must enroll
Must participate and submit contributions (Employer portion may be waived)
Full participation required including employer contribution match
Registration Now Open: All Maryland employers with at least one employee working in Maryland must register, whether they use the State Plan or an approved private plan. Employers planning to apply for a private plan who wish to avoid remitting State Plan contributions while their application is pending must submit a Declaration of Intent between September 1 and November 15, 2026.
Comprehensive coverage designed to support Maryland workers.
Weekly wage replacement based on your income.
Of paid leave per benefit year (up to 24 in special cases).
Wage replacement up to the state maximum benefit cap of $1,000 per week.
90% Replacement Rate applied
Take leave as a single continuous block or use intermittent leave in increments as small as 4 hours to fit your schedule.
Who qualifies for Maryland FAMLI benefits?
Must have worked at least 680 hours in Maryland during the previous 4 calendar quarters (base period) to be eligible for benefits.
Employee must physically located in Maryland for work. This applies even if you live in another state but work in Maryland.
All eligible employees must participate. You cannot opt-out of contributions or coverage.
If you work multiple jobs, you may file separate claims for each employer. Each claim is evaluated independently.
Employees may apply for benefits up to 60 days before their leave starts or within 60 days after leave begins.
View Implementation TimelineCompare your options for compliance, costs, and administration.
A separate Declaration of Intent is required for each employer EIN. DOI submissions will be accepted between September 1 and November 15, 2026.
Compare key State Plan cost rules with factors that affect approved private plan pricing.
Applied employee by employee to wages up to the Social Security wage cap. For employers with 15 or more employees, up to half may be withheld from employees.
Maryland Labor sets the State Plan contribution rate annually. The rate may change beginning January 1, 2028, up to the statutory maximum of 1.20%.
The employer is not required to fund an employer share. The employee contribution remains due and may be withheld from employee pay.
Pricing may vary by carrier, employer size, workforce characteristics, and plan design. Employees cannot be charged more than the employee share permitted under the State Plan.
For an employee earning $100,000 in 2027:
Illustration only. State Plan contributions are calculated separately for each employee and only on wages up to the Social Security wage cap.
| Maryland Employees | Annual Fee |
|---|---|
| 1–14 | $100 |
| 15–49 | $250 |
| 50–199 | $500 |
| 200–499 | $600 |
| 500–999 | $750 |
| 1,000+ | $1,000 |
Self-insured private plan application fee: $1,000 for all employer sizes.
Actual employer costs cannot be accurately estimated from total payroll alone. A reliable comparison requires employee-level wage information and details about the employer's workforce and contribution strategy.
State Plan rate and application fees shown are current as of July 2026 and are subject to change.
Key Dates & Required Actions for Maryland Employers
Maryland employers with at least one employee working in Maryland must register through the State of Maryland's Official FAMLI portal. Initial registration must be completed by an Authorized Officer of the company.
Employers seeking to avoid remitting State Plan contributions while a private plan application is pending must have their Authorized Officer submit a Declaration of Intent between September 1 and November 15, 2026.
State Plan contributions begin in January 2027. Employers with an accepted DOI hold the required amounts in escrow while their private plan application is pending.
All employers must submit their first Quarterly Wage and Hour Report. State Plan employers must also remit their first quarterly contributions.
Employers must begin providing employees with the required Maryland FAMLI notice six months before benefits launch.
Employers with an accepted DOI must submit their private plan application by October 1, 2027.
Eligible employees may begin receiving paid family and medical leave benefits through either the State Plan or their employer’s approved private plan.
Employers that remain in the State Plan collect and remit required contributions and submit Quarterly Wage and Hour Reports through the State’s FAMLI system.
Employers may apply for an approved commercial or self-insured private plan. A DOI is not required to apply, but employers without an accepted DOI must remit State Plan contributions until their private plan is approved.