Bill > HB1503

This bill establishes a comprehensive paid family and medical leave program for Executive Branch employees in Maryland, set to begin on July 1, 2026. The legislation defines key terms such as "family member" (which broadly includes biological, adopted, foster, and step-relatives, as well as domestic partners and individuals who have acted as parents), "serious health condition" (involving inpatient care or continued treatment), and "qualifying exigency" (related to military deployment). Under the new law, employees will be eligible to take up to 12 weeks of paid leave per application year for reasons including caring for a newborn or newly placed child, caring for a family member with a serious health condition, addressing the employee's own serious health condition, caring for a service member, or attending to deployment-related matters. Employees must provide notice of foreseeable leave at least 30 days in advance and can take leave intermittently, though in increments of at least 4 hours. The Secretary of Budget and Management and governing bodies of public higher education institutions are required to adopt regulations implementing the program, and employees will be restored to their original or equivalent position after taking leave. Importantly, employees cannot be required to use other paid leave before or during their family and medical leave, and the leave will run concurrently with federal Family and Medical Leave Act protections.

Budget and Finance, Government Affairs

Appropriations (H)

https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/HB1503?ys=2025RS