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Maryland’s Family & Medical Leave Insurance (MD FAMLI)

What is MD FAMLI?

Maryland’s Family & Medical Leave Insurance is the state‑mandated program that provides eligible employees with partially paid time off for up to 12 weeks per benefit year for qualifying personal and family needs. Up to an additional 12 weeks leave time available if an employee needs both medical and bonding in the same benefit year, providing a maximum combination of 24 weeks.

Beginning January 3, 2028, eligible reasons for MD FAMLI benefits include:

  • The employee’s own serious health condition
    • Including complications to pregnancy and/or childbirth
  • Bonding leave to care for a new child, including birth, adoption, or foster placement
  • Caring for a family member with a serious health condition, including a:
    • Child, spouse/domestic partner, sibling, parent
    • Grandparent or grandchild
    • Legal ward or other individuals the employee/employee’s spouse has court-appointed financial and/or personal decision-making authority over
  • Qualifying military exigency

What is the weekly paid benefit under MD FAMLI?

Effective January 3, 2028, the maximum weekly benefit is $1,000.00

The benefit calculation is tiered so that lower wage earners receive a higher wage replacement benefit. Below are the steps needed to calculate the individual’s benefit payment.

  1. Calculate the employee’s average weekly wage (AWW)
    a. Take the highest quarter in the base period divided by 13.
  2. Calculate weekly benefit

 

2028 Maximum Weekly Benefit $1000 Example:
Example using 2026 State AWW: $1,537.00 $1,500/week gross pay
Tier 1 90% of the claimant's AWW that is less than or equal to 65% the state AWW 65% SAWW: $999.05
90% is $899.15
Tier 2 50% of the claimant's AWW that exceeds Tier 1 Wages over Tier 1: $500.95
50% is $250.48
Subtotal Add Tiers 1 and 2 $899.15 + $250.48 = $1149.63
Weekly Benefit Is either the sum of Tiers 1+2 or the maximum weekly benefit
2028 maximum $1,000		 Weekly benefits would be:
$1,000.00


Did You Know: STD benefits are still needed because the state benefit alone is not enough to cover the risk of an employee’s own medical needs in many instances. Contact your DBL Center expert to learn how to save your STD book and add PFML to your portfolio offering. 

Is MD FAMLI Job Protected?

Yes. MD FAMLI provides job protection, however, may be terminated for cause or limited circumstances that would cause the employer substantial and grievous economic injury.

It may run concurrently with the laws below, depending on employee eligibility.

  • Federal FMLA – Family & Medical Leave Act
  • MD FMLA – Maryland Family & Medical Leave Act
  • MD FLA – Maryland Flexible Leave Act
  • MD PLA – Maryland Parental Leave Act
  • MD ALL – Maryland Adoption Leave Law
  • MD FML – Maryland Family Military Leave Law

Which employers are required to provide MD FAMLI?

Most private employers with one or more employees working in Maryland are covered under MD FAMLI and must provide benefits.

This requirement includes:

  • Employees working in Maryland (not resident state)
  • Remote workers whose work is based in Maryland

It does not include:

  • The federal government

How much does MD FAMLI cost?

MD FAMLI Public Plan

 

Year Rate Payroll Cap Premium due ER Fund EE Pay
MD SS Wage base 50% 50%
2027 0.90% $184,500 $1,661 $830 $830

 

• Small employers with <15 Nationwide employees are not assessed as the employer portion of the contribution. They will remit 0.45%, which can be fully funded through payroll deductions.

Private Plan Alternative

  • Private plans are individually underwritten
  • Payroll deductions may be used but cannot exceed the public plan cost for employees. For 2027, that is 0.45% (which is 50% of the state’s rate)

What is a MD FAMLI Private Plan?

When Maryland employers register with the state, they are automatically enrolled in the MD FAMLI Public Plan

However, employers may instead comply through a state‑approved private plan.

A MD PFML private plan may be either fully insured or self‑insured and must:

  • Provide the same or better benefits as the public plan
  • Offer equal rights and protections to employees
  • Cost employees no more than the state plan payroll deduction

The DBL Center works with a network of approved private plan carriers that offer compliant and cost‑effective solutions.

What Are the Advantages of a Private Plan?

Here is a list of advantages for Maryland employers who are considering a private plan for their MD FAMLI compliance needs:

  1. Potential cost savings
    • Plans are individually underwritten, like other insured employer benefits
    • Employers receive an exemption from contributing to the state PFML fund
  2. Improved claims experience
    • Direct access to dedicated claims professionals instead of call centers
    • Faster claims turnaround times
  3. Employer‑level absence reporting
    • Visibility into claim status and approved leave dates
    • Especially helpful for tracking intermittent leave

How Do I Apply for a Private Plan?

The DBL Center team supports both you and your clients throughout the entire private plan process.

Step 1: Request a Private Plan Quote
We compare private plan pricing, benefits, and service levels against the state public plan.

Required census details include:

  • All Maryland employees
  • Gender
  • Employment status (full‑time, part‑time, seasonal)
  • Employee age
  • Total Maryland wages (including overtime and bonuses)

Step 2: Select an Insurance Carrier

  • In 2026, a Declaration of Intent (DOI) to use a private plan will be available for a limited time between September 1 – November 15, 2026.
  • In 2027, a MD PFML Policy will be issued.

Step 3: Apply for the State Exemption
A new registration link will be published prior to September, 2026.

  • This is the same portal used for public plan administration
  • In 2027 the DOI must be replaced with a private plan. A private plan application fee will be applied
  • The state will issue:
    • Approval confirmation
    • Contribution exemption effective date
  • Private plan approvals and contribution exemptions are renewed annually
  • MD FAMLI will send reminder notices for annual maintenance activities to keep your private plan compliant.

Why choose DBL Center?

The DBL Center has 40 years of experience in state‑mandated disability and leave programs. Let us be your trusted partner for navigating complex PFML requirements on behalf of our clients.

We provide:

  • Expert advice to employers and brokers as state PFML programs evolve
  • Strategic review of state mandated benefits
  • Access to competitive, compliant private plan options
  • Ongoing service and support beyond the initial sale
  • Net Revenue Tracker, enabling Broker access to their renewals, cancellations and book of business from anywhere

Our goal is to deliver cost‑effective solutions with a seamless experience for both employers and employees.

The Benefits

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How it works

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