Maryland Family & Medical Leave Insurance (FAMLI)

Maryland’s Family and Medical Leave Insurance program will provide paid leave benefits to eligible employees beginning January 1, 2028. The Wise Benefits® team is preparing an equivalent private insurance plan to help employers meet Maryland’s requirements with confidence.

Maryland Program Snapshot

Maryland’s state-run FAMLI program, as currently designed under the enacted law.

12 weeks

Combined family or medical leave, plus up to 12 additional weeks for certain own-condition and bonding claims in the same year.

Up to 90 percent

Eligible employees may receive up to 90% of wage replacement, subject to Maryland’s benefit formula and maximum weekly benefit.

0.90 percent

0.90% is the combined contribution rate on covered wages, capped at the Social Security wage base.

680 hours

To qualify for Maryland FAMLI, an employee must have worked a minimum of 680 hours in Maryland over the four most recent completed quarters.

Why Consider a Private Plan?

Many employers are considering an equivalent private plan that offers advantages beyond meeting Maryland's requirements, including the ability to work with a trusted provider to:

Coordinate leave administration and disability benefits through a single, integrated claims and service experience.
Simplify administration by reducing the need to manage multiple vendors and processes.
Enhance the employee experience with a more seamless claims and leave process.
Reduce administrative burden by supporting implementation, claims processing, and ongoing service of the plan.

Subject to regulatory approval, Madison National Life Insurance Company, Inc. (MNL) will issue the Wise Benefits Equivalent Plan designed to help Maryland employers meet state requirements while delivering a streamlined experience for both employers and employees.

Wise Benefits Private Plan

Beginning in fall 2027, employers will have the opportunity to elect an Equivalent Private Insurance Plan (EPIP) in place of the state-administered program. Subject to regulatory approval, the Wise Benefits package available through Horace Mann's group benefits platform will include a fully insured private plan. Plan design, benefits, premium rates, availability, and effective dates will be finalized following state approval and may change before launch.

Prepare for Maryland FAMLI

Employers with employees in Maryland can prepare now by:

Reviewing the Declaration of Intent window (September 1–November 15, 2026).
Evaluating whether an EPIP is the right fit for their organization.
Completing the EPIP application by October 1, 2027, if electing a private plan.
Confirming payroll and eligibility data ahead of January 1, 2027.

STATUS: Maryland’s FAMLI program is still in development. Although benefits do not begin until January 1, 2028, employers have important decisions to make before the program launches.

WHAT TO DO NOW: By planning early, you can help ensure a smooth implementation and provide time to evaluate whether the state-administered program or an equivalent private plan is the right fit.

UNDERSTAND KEY DEADLINES, including employer registration, Declaration of Intent, contribution requirements, and equivalent private plan application dates.

REVIEW CURRENT PROGRAMS. Evaluate short-term disability, leave, and income replacement programs to understand how they may interact with Maryland FAMLI.

CONSIDER A PRIVATE PLAN. Determine whether an equivalent private plan may better support your organization and employees.

PREPARE PAYROLL AND DATA. Ensure payroll and employee data are ready before contributions begin.

STAY INFORMED. Monitor Maryland guidance as implementation details are finalized.

How Wise Benefits Staff Can Help

Subject to regulatory approval, the Wise Benefits team intends to offer a fully insured Maryland Equivalent Private Insurance Plan (EPIP) designed to help employers satisfy Maryland's FAMLI requirements.

As additional details become available, we'll continue adding implementation resources, employer guidance, and product information to help organizations prepare for launch.

Maryland FAMLI FAQs

What Maryland FAMLI dates should I be aware of?

The Maryland Department of Labor has adopted this implementation timeline.
What’s covered under the state program?
Care for a new child (birth, adoption, kinship care, or foster placement) during the first year

Care for a family member with a serious health condition

An employee’s own serious health condition that prevents them from performing their job

Care for a next-of-kin service member

A qualifying military exigency related to a family member’s deployment
How is the program funded?

For 2027, the Maryland FAMLI program is funded through a combined 0.90% contribution on covered wages, capped at the Social Security wage base. Employers with 15 or more employees nationwide split the contribution evenly: 0.45% paid by the employee and 0.45% paid by the employer. Employers with fewer than 15 employees remit employee contributions only (0.45%). Contribution rates are subject to annual adjustment by the Maryland Department of Labor.
Is there a private plan option?

Yes. Maryland is establishing private plan requirements and will begin approving plans through the EPIP process beginning in 2027. Private plans must offer benefits equal to or better than the state plan and cannot cost employees more than they would contribute under the state program. The transition from the state program to an approved private plan will occur in accordance with Maryland’s implementation requirements and effective dates.
Will there be a Wise Benefits private plan offered in Maryland?

The Wise Benefits team intends to offer a Maryland EPIP, subject to regulatory approval. The Wise Benefits staff will update this page — and notify plan administrators directly — as soon as the filing status changes. In the meantime, employers should plan to participate in the state program on the published timeline.

The Wise Benefits team will continue updating this page as Maryland releases additional implementation guidance and regulatory updates.

Program details reflect Maryland’s published FAMLI framework as of the state’s most recent guidance and are subject to change as the Maryland Department of Labor finalizes implementation.