Md. lawmakers override veto on paid family leave legislation
MARYLAND – Members of the Maryland General Assembly voted to override Governor Larry Hogan’s veto on the Time to Care Act.
The legislation will establish an insurance program, ensuring workers up to 12 weeks of partially paid leave when dealing with family issues. That includes the birth of a child, caring for a sick loved one, or dealing with a military deployment. The bill also offers job protections for employees who choose to take advantage of the leave.
Maryland now joins nine other states and Washington, D.C. in establishing a paid leave program for workers. In Maryland’s version of the legislation, the state Department of Labor will set contribution rates to fund the program. Those contributions will come from workers and employers. Employers with less than 15 employees will not be required to contribute to the program. However, workers at those businesses will contribute, and be eligible for paid leave.
Travis Simon, Director of Political and Legislative Affairs for SEIU Local 500 is calling the bill “one of the most progressive paid family and medical leave programs in the United States.” In a statement to 47 ABC, Simon wrote “We celebrate today’s victory and thank leadership in both chambers on behalf of millions of working families.”
