Legislature Passes Bill to Provide 12 Weeks of Paid Family Leave

The Maine House and Senate voted on Wednesday to pass a bill to provide Maine workers with 12 weeks of paid family and medical leave. The measure is now awaiting action by the Governor.

The program would be funded by a 1 percent payroll tax split between employees and employers . Employers with 15 or fewer workers would not have to pay the contribution, but their employees would still be eligible. Employers who offer comparable or more comprehensive paid leave plans may opt out.

Once an employee hits a certain contribution benchmark, they would be able to take up to 12 weeks of paid leave each year for qualifying life events. If the worker has been with their employer for at least 120 days, their job would be protected until they returned from leave.

A spokesman for the Governor Mills told the Portland Press Herald Wednesday night that she is still reviewing the bill but is “encouraged" by the amendment to the bill.