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MD Paid Family & Medical Leave Insurance (MD FAMLI) & Private Plan Alternatives

Private Plans, known in Maryland as an Equivalent Private Insurance Plan (EPIP) or Paid Family Medical Leave (PFML).

What is Maryland Paid Family & Medical Leave?

Maryland employers have the option to provide benefits through the State Plan or a Private Plan. An approved Private Plan, known in Maryland as an Equivalent Private Insurance Plan (EPIP), is an alternative to a State Plan, that at least meets or exceeds the rights, protections, and benefits of the State Plan. An approved Private Plan can be either self-insured by an employer or fully insured through an approved insurance carrier(s) in which coverage is provided in the form of a Paid Family & Medical Leave policy.

Maryland’s state-mandated Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML; State Program referred to as FAMLI), will be available January 1, 2028 and provides partial income replacement during job-protected leave for covered employees to care for a qualified family member or their own qualifying medical condition.

What Can MD FAMLI (PFML) Be Used For?

Maryland PFML allows employees to take paid time off for critical life events that impact their own health or the health of a family member. These leave types, also called qualifying events, are:

MD FAMLI - Maryland PFML Leave Graphic
What is the Maximum Leave Length for MD PFML?
  • MD PFML provides up to 12 weeks per benefit year.
  • However, if an employee takes both – medical and bonding leave together, they get a combined maximum of 24 weeks in that 12-month period.
  • All other leave type combinations max out at 12 weeks total.
    • For example, if an employee already took 3 weeks of caregiver leave in the benefit year, that leaves 9 weeks of leave for any other qualifying event, such as bonding leave or medical leave. This resets in the next benefit year.
  • Benefits can be taken continuously or on an intermittent basis.
How are MD contributions split for the State Plan?

Employers with 15+ employees:
Employers may withhold up to half of the total contribution rate from the employees’ pay for an even split. The employer contributes the other 50%.

Small employers with less than 15 employees:
The employer contribution is waived for small groups. While they don’t have to pay the employer portion of contributions, they still have the option to pay for all or part of their employees’ required contributions.

Key Dates

The proposed dates to the timeline extension:

  • Mar. – May 2026 – soft launch of Employer Registration System
  • Early Fall 2026 – full public launch of Employer Registration System
  • Sep. 1, 2026 through Nov. 15, 2026 – declaration of Intent process opens
  • Jan. 1, 2027 – contributions to the state begin
  • Summer of 2027 – equivalent Private Plan applications open
  • Jan. 1, 2028 – benefits become available

Maryland FAMLI (Paid Family & Medical Leave):
Frequently Asked Questions

Interested in a quote from a Private Plan carrier? Complete the census quote request below.

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Why consider private plan coverage?
  1. Skip the prefunding year (saving you and employees premium)
  2. Potential for lower premium than state issued rates, saving business and employees premium
  3. Streamline compliance with the new state mandates
  4. Streamlined claims and claim support for employees

Please reach out to our Life and Health Department or your employee benefits representative at VW Brown Insurance Service LLC for additional information.

Or, call 410-730-2688 Option 5, Option 3.

This information is subject to change pending the adoption of final rules from the Maryland FAMLI Division. Further, this material is for informational purposes only and is not intended to provide legal counsel. Please consult with an appropriate professional for legal and compliance advice. Any program information is based on our knowledge and understanding of Maryland’s applicable laws and regulations as of the publication date and may change as regulations evolve or Maryland Department of Labor issues updated guidance. Further, this material is for illustrative purposes only, providing a general overview of the services described. It is not a contract nor intended as an offer of coverage.

Policies are subject to Underwriting approval. Policies are reviewed annually and may be cancelled for nonpayment. All coverage extends to limits reflected in the policy. Please refer to the policy for coverage details pursuant to its governing law, including a complete listing of covered services, provisions, conditions, exclusions, limitations, and terms under which the policy may be continued or cancelled. In the event of conflicting information with the policy and its governing Law, the policy and governing Law will take precedence over what is shown in this material. Claim payment is not guaranteed; benefit amount depends on wages.

Maryland’s Time to Care Act (TTCA) (as reflected in MD Code Lab. & Empl. §§ 8.3-101 et seq.) and any Rules and Regulations established by the Maryland Department of Labor FAMLI Division govern this Private Plan and its interpretation and administration. Available in MD only.