Maryland Maternity Leave

2026 Guide to Leave Benefits

Homeβ€ΊMaternity Leave by Stateβ€ΊMaryland
πŸ”œ Paid Leave Coming Soon

πŸ†• Upcoming: FAMLI (Time to Care Act)

FAMLI (Time to Care Act)
Max Weeks 24
Wage Replacement ~90%
Max Weekly $1,000

Maryland's FAMLI program will provide up to 12 weeks medical + 12 weeks family leave (24 weeks for new mothers). Tiered wage replacement: 90% up to 65% of state average weekly wage, 50% above. $1,000/week max. Payroll contributions begin January 2027; benefits available no later than January 2028.

Visit Official Program Website β†’

πŸ“‹ Current Options in Maryland

Until the new program begins, Maryland residents must rely on federal protections and employer benefits:

πŸ›οΈ
Federal FMLA 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave. Requires employer with 50+ employees, 12 months employment, and 1,250+ hours worked.
πŸ₯
Short-Term Disability If your employer offers STD, it typically covers 6 weeks (vaginal) or 8 weeks (C-section) at 50-70% of your salary for medical recovery.
πŸ–οΈ
PTO & Vacation Accrued paid time off provides full salary during leave. Save up PTO in advance to extend your paid leave period.
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Employer Policy Some employers offer parental leave beyond legal requirements. Check your employee handbook or talk to HR about your company's policy.

πŸ›οΈ FMLA in Maryland

The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) is a federal law that provides eligible employees with 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave for the birth or adoption of a child.

Eligibility requirements:

  • Your employer has 50 or more employees within 75 miles
  • You've worked for your employer for at least 12 months
  • You've worked at least 1,250 hours in the past 12 months

FMLA guarantees your job (or an equivalent position) when you return, and your employer must maintain your health insurance during leave. However, FMLA leave is unpaid - you'll need STD, PTO, or savings to cover the income gap.

πŸ—ΊοΈ Nearby States with Paid Leave

While Maryland doesn't have paid family leave yet, these nearby states do. If you work remotely for an employer in one of these states, you may be covered by their program.

Plan Your Maryland Maternity Leave

See your personalized week-by-week timeline, income estimates, and a complete plan combining all your available benefits.

Calculate My Leave Plan β†’

This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Benefit amounts and eligibility requirements change periodically. Always verify current details with your state's official program and your employer's HR department.