Paid family and medical leave for all Maine workers
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What is the bill
LD 1964 creates a program to provide up to 12 weeks of leave for all Maine workers, regardless of who they work for and whether they work part-time, full-time, or seasonally or are self-employed, to care for themselves or a loved one when they bring a new child home, during serious a injury or illness, or in certain other circumstances. The program is funded through payroll contributions from both employers and employees, and employees taking leave are paid through a state fund similar to the unemployment insurance system. The plan is based on the report from the Maine Commission on Paid Family and Medical Leave.
Why it matters
No matter who we are and what we do for a living, we should be able to take time to care for our loved ones when crisis strikes, without risking our jobs or housing, or making other terrible tradeoffs. Most of us will have that need at some point in our lives. But most people don’t have access to paid leave that allows them to take that time. A comprehensive PFML program in Maine will give all workers, including the huge numbers of Mainers who work for small businesses or for themselves, the flexibility and security to deal with life’s most disruptive events without jeopardizing their financial stability, employment, or health insurance.
What happened
LD 1964 passed and was signed into law by Gov. Janet Mills as part of the state supplemental budget.