Your to-do list for Maryland's paid leave program
What to do, by when, what it costs per paycheck — and who can help. Every date has its source.
Key dates for Maryland employers
Dates from the Maryland FAMLI Division, the regulations and the statute. Source and check date on every step.
- Open now
Register your business with FAMLI
The State's two registration pages give no deadline for existing employers (read Oct 8, 2026); the Governor's release (Sep 1, 2026) asks employers to register as soon as possible.
Maryland FAMLI — Understand employer registration · checked Oct 8, 2026
- Open nowNext datecloses Nov 15, 2026 · 36 days left
Declaration of Intent for a private plan closes
Optional. Only if you want a private plan: meet a licensed agent, get the consultation form signed, file in your FAMLI account.
Who can help? Insurance agents and brokers →Maryland FAMLI — Understand your plan · checked Oct 8, 2026
- 82 days left
Give employees notice before the first deduction
One pay period before your first 2027 payday. The State's sample notice is not published yet; check the FAMLI employers page.
Who can help? Employment attorneys → · PEOs →Maryland FAMLI — For employers · checked Oct 8, 2026
- in 83 days
Payroll deductions start
Withhold 0.45% from wages paid on or after this date. Ask your payroll provider now for the page that says it handles Maryland FAMLI.
Who can help? Payroll providers →Maryland FAMLI — Make contributions · checked Oct 8, 2026
- 202 days left
First quarterly report and payment
File the wage-and-hour report and pay, online. Fill in the 'Total employee headcount' field (Maryland and elsewhere) or the State does not treat you as a small employer.
Who can help? CPA firms → · Payroll providers →Maryland FAMLI — Submit quarterly reports · checked Oct 8, 2026
- in 264 days
Notices for all employers begin
At hire, every year, on a leave request, when you know the leave qualifies, and 30 days before a plan change.
Who can help? Employment attorneys →Maryland FAMLI — For employers · checked Oct 8, 2026
- 356 days left
Private-plan applications due
Only for employers that filed a Declaration of Intent. Yearly fee $100 to $1,000 by size.
Who can help? Insurance agents and brokers → · Employment attorneys →Maryland FAMLI — Understand your plan · checked Oct 8, 2026
- 387 days left
The State sets the 2028 contribution rate
Nothing to do now. When we record the announced rate, the calculator uses it.
Md. Code, Lab. & Empl. § 8.3-601 · checked Oct 8, 2026
- in 448 days
Benefits start
Employees can claim paid leave. Job-protection and claim questions start here.
Who can help? Employment attorneys → · PEOs →Maryland FAMLI — About the program · checked Oct 8, 2026
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FAMLI tax calculator
The Maryland FAMLI deduction per paycheck, the employer's share and the amount to remit each quarter. Nothing you type is stored.
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To-do list
Every dated step for a Maryland employer, from registration to the first benefits, with the source and the day we checked it — and who can help with each step.
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Which steps apply?
Three or four questions. You get the steps that apply to your kind of employer, with the dates and the pages that explain them. It gives information only — it never says you are compliant or exempt.
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Rules by state
Pick a state and a topic. You get the rule that applies on that date, the next scheduled change, the statute or official page, and the day we checked it.
Frequently asked questions
›What is FAMLI in Maryland?
FAMLI is Maryland's Family and Medical Leave Insurance program. Employers and employees pay contributions from January 1, 2027 (0.9% of wages in total, 0.45% each). The official About page says benefits become available on January 1, 2028 (the law requires a start no later than January 3, 2028): up to 12 weeks of paid leave, up to $1,000 a week. This is a private website; the official site is paidleave.maryland.gov. Start with the to-do list.
›Do I have to register my business for Maryland FAMLI?
Yes, if you have at least one employee in Maryland. The State's page says: 'There are no exceptions under state law.' Registration opened to all employers on September 1, 2026. The State's Understand employer registration page and its registration guide give no deadline for existing employers (read October 8, 2026); the Governor's release of September 1, 2026 asks employers to register 'as soon as possible'. Only an Authorized Officer of the employer can register. A sole owner who is the only person working in the business is not an 'employer' under the law. See Do I have to register.
›How much is the Maryland FAMLI tax?
0.9% of wages up to the Social Security wage base: 0.45% from the employer and 0.45% from the employee, on wages paid on or after January 1, 2027. An employer with fewer than 15 employees in total remits the employee half (0.45%) only. On $1,000 of gross pay the employee deduction is $4.50. Use the FAMLI tax calculator; nothing you type is stored.
›What are the employer requirements for Maryland paid family leave?
In date order: register (open now) · optional Declaration of Intent for a private plan (Sep 1 – Nov 15, 2026) · notice to employees one pay period before the first deduction (December 2026) · deductions on wages paid from Jan 1, 2027 · first quarterly report and payment by Apr 30, 2027 · notices for all employers from July 2027 · private-plan applications by Oct 1, 2027. Each step has its source on the to-do list.
›What are the key differences between FMLA and FAMLI leave in Maryland?
FMLA is a federal law that gives unpaid, job-protected leave at employers with 50 or more employees. FAMLI is a Maryland insurance program that pays a benefit (up to $1,000 a week) and covers employers of every size, including a household with one employee. FAMLI contributions start January 1, 2027; benefits start January 1, 2028 (no later than January 3, 2028 by law). For how the two run together in a specific case, ask an employment attorney.
›Does a family that employs a nanny have to register?
Yes. The State's Contributions FAQ (April 2026) asks 'My family employs a nanny. Am I considered an employer?' and answers 'Yes, an employer is anyone who pays a salary or wage to at least one person.' A household registers, withholds 0.45% from wages paid from January 1, 2027, and files a short quarterly report. See household employers.
›Who can sign the Proof of Private Plan Consultation?
The State's page says the form must be completed and signed by 'a licensed insurance agent or other representative of an insurance company in Maryland'. An employer that intends to self-insure needs the signature too. The Declaration of Intent window is September 1 – November 15, 2026. A quote that you see before the Insurance Administration approves the insurer's filing is illustrative only (its Bulletin 26-13). See the Declaration of Intent page and the list of agents and brokers.
›What states have paid family leave in 2026?
This site tracks five programs with their sources: Maryland (contributions 2027, benefits 2028), Minnesota and Delaware (benefits since January 1, 2026), Maine (benefits since May 1, 2026) and Virginia (approved on April 22, 2026; benefits from December 1, 2028). Other states run older programs. See states with paid family leave and the rules by state.
›Is this a government website?
No. State Paid Leave is a private website. It is not affiliated with the State of Maryland, the Maryland Department of Labor or the FAMLI Division. You register, file and pay only on the official site, paidleave.maryland.gov. We never charge employers, and we never register or file for anyone.
›How do vendors get listed, and what does money buy?
A basic listing is free. Vendors can claim a listing and confirm facts, each shown with the day we checked it. Nothing is for sale on this site yet. Listings are ordered by how many of their facts we have checked (each check is shown with its date), then alphabetically by name. Money will never buy a place in that order, a check or a recommendation. We are not a licensed insurance producer and we receive no commission or fee based on any insurance sale. See pricing and the methodology.