California

What is Changing?

Effective July 2028 – Paid Family Leave definition of a covered family member will expand to include a designated person. To learn more, read CA SB590

👉 Important: Self-insured Private Plans may make this change at any time since their private plan must have at least one item better than the state’s plan. Employers may consider early adoption aligning with the January 1, 2023, California Family Rights Act (CFRA) expanded family member definition requiring the designated person family member.                                                                  

Colorado

CO FAMLI Benefit Update – Effective July 1, 2026

What is Changing?

Benefits reset annually on July 1. For claims with payable dates on or after July 1, 2026, including ongoing claims – the updated state benefits will apply.

💡 Tip

Employers offering “top-ups” should review in‑flight CO FAMLI claims to ensure the new state benefit amount—combined with employer-paid benefits—does not result in an overpayment.

CO FAMLI Benefit Calculation:

Maine

Maine benefit and private plan update – Effective July 1, 2026

What it Changing?

Maine will update their new state average weekly wage (SAWW) each July 1. For PFML, this will impact (1) the eligibility threshold that an employee needs to qualify for benefits, and (2) the benefit calculation and maximum weekly benefit available. In addition (3) improvements to the private plan application process have been implemented.

1.   Eligibility threshold 6x ME SAWW based on the earlier of the claim application date or the first day of leave. 

2.   Maine PFML Weekly Benefit Amount

Maine’s Department of Labor, who oversees the PFML program. provided several examples to help demonstrate how the state public plan and private plans will look at the specific dates of each claim to determine the eligibility and/or benefit calculation.

·        Application submitted on 6/30/2026, for leave starting on 6/29/2026:              must earn 6 * $1,199 = $7,193.04

·        Application submitted on 6/30/2026, for leave starting on 7/15/2026:               must earn 6 * $1,199 = $7,193.04

·        Application submitted on 7/4/2026, for leave starting on 7/15/2026:                must earn 6 * $1,250 = $7,494.72

Maryland

Maryland’s Family & Medical Leave Insurance (FAMLI) program confirmed its MD FAMLI Contribution rate and employer actions required in 2026.  

What is changing?

Employers using a Fiscal Year Accounting method need to prepare for the MD FAMLI contribution beginning with the first payroll run in January 2027. The state rate is 0.90% applied to every dollar as earned up to the Social Security Wage annual cap (which will be published in October).

They have agreed to allow commercial insurers to provide illustrative quotes to employers who are considering a private plan. Employers who choose a private plan can apply for a Declaration of Intent (DOI) to go private and receive a contribution exemption for 2027 contributions. The DOI is a limited time offer September 1-November 15, 2026.

👉 Important: Registration and DOI applications begin fall 2026 and 2027 FAMLI contribution assessments planning should begin now.

Massachusetts

Effective July 1, 2026, Massachusetts is implementing a significant change to the PFML private plan approval and renewal process.

What is Changing?

❌ MassTaxConnect will no longer be used for private plan new exemption applications or renewals. Instead,

✅ MA PFML Employer Portal will be used for all private plan approvals and renewals.

Why does it matter?

This transition creates a more streamlined and centralized experience for employers. It brings plan administration and claims-related employer interactions into a single system.

The PFML Employer Portal may already be familiar to employer’s benefit administrators since they currently use this site to support claims administration.

The Massachusetts Department of Paid Family and Medical Leave (MDPFML) has taken important steps to align with employer needs and collaborate with carriers to improve the overall process.

Actions:

·        Employers already approved July 1, 2026: No action required. Your renewal or private plan approval uses the existing process.

·        October 1 and future renewals: All renewals will transition to the MA PFML Employer Portal.

·        Watch for renewal notifications: Approximately 60 days before your plan expires, the state will send an email to your primary contact with instructions.

💡 Tip

Employers make sure your PFML Administrator has authority to act on behalf of all your MA PFML covered tax IDs. 

New Jersey

What is Changing?

New Jersey is expanding provisions effective July 17, 2026, impacting both NJ Temporary Disability Insurance (TDI) and Family Leave Insurance (FLI) programs Read the full list of changes here. 

Job Protection:

·        The Statute governing benefits is amended to include provisions that effective leave claims on or after July 17, 2026, covered individuals who receive TDI or FLI benefits shall be restored to the same or equivalent position following their leave.

Coordination between NJ Earned Sick Leave and TDI/FLI.

·        Eligible employees who have available accrued sick time under NJ Earned Sick and Safe Leave may select the order in which they use earned sick time and/or TDI/FLI benefits. Please note, Earned Sick accrued time may not be applied to ‘top-up’ benefits for TDI/FLI.

💡 Tip

Employees with a TDI claim lasting less than 3 weeks will have a seven‑day unpaid waiting period. During this waiting week, employees may use Earned Sick and Safe Leave (ESSL).

• Week 1: Unpaid TDI (ESSL can be used)
• Weeks 2–3: Paid TDI (ESSL should not be used)

For claims that last longer than 3 weeks, the seven‑day waiting period is retroactively paid under the state’s required plan design.

👉 Important: If the employer allows ESSL to be used during the waiting week and the claim extends beyond 3 weeks, this can result in an overpayment once the waiting week is reimbursed (typically around week 4).

Oregon

Oregon Benefit Update – Effective July 1, 2026

What is Changing?

Benefits Maximums and Minimums change annually on July 1. For claims with leave start dates on or after July 1, 2026, the new state average weekly wage (SAWW) benefit calculation will apply. (Claims and/or leaves that started before July 1, 2026, will use the older SAWW in the benefit calculation.)

See the reference chart below for a summary of when the mandated states make changes. Announcements are generally published by the states 30+ days in advance of the effective date of the changes.