What changed

Jan 1, 2028 · Effective · MD

Benefits start

The official About page says benefits become available January 1, 2028. The law requires a start no later than January 3, 2028 (§ 8.3-701, as amended by HB 102 of 2025, Chapter 363). Up to 12 weeks a year (24 in one special case), up to $1,000 a week through December 31, 2028, no waiting period.

Md. Code, Lab. & Empl. § 8.3-701 to 8.3-703 · Maryland FAMLI — About the program · verified Oct 8, 2026

Nov 1, 2027 · Deadline · MD

The State sets the 2028 contribution rate

On or before November 1 each year, beginning in 2027, the Secretary sets the total rate for the next calendar year. The statute's ceiling is 1.2% of wages.

On or before this date.

Md. Code, Lab. & Empl. § 8.3-601(d) · Md. Code, Lab. & Empl. § 8.3-601 · verified Oct 8, 2026

Oct 1, 2027 · Deadline · MD

Private-plan applications due

Private-plan applications are available in summer 2027 and are due October 1, 2027 for an employer that filed a Declaration of Intent. Fee, paid every year — commercial plan by Maryland employees: $100 (1–14), $250 (15–49), $500 (50–199), $600 (200–499), $750 (500–999), $1,000 (1,000 or more); self-insured $1,000. Self-insurance needs 50 or more Maryland employees, or a compliant plan in effect on or before July 31, 2026 (COMAR 09.42.03.05K(5)(c)).

For employers that filed a Declaration of Intent.

COMAR 09.42.03.05 · Maryland FAMLI — Understand your plan · verified Oct 8, 2026

Jul 1, 2027 · Effective · MD

Notices for all employers begin

From July 2027 (six months before benefits) every employer gives notice on five triggers: six months before benefits begin, at hire (written), once a year (written), when an employee asks for leave, and when the employer knows the leave is for a qualifying reason. COMAR 09.42.04.08 adds 30 days before any change to the employer's FAMLI procedures or plan. After a leave request the employer has 5 business days to tell the employee about eligibility (§ 8.3-801(b)(1)).

COMAR 09.42.04.08; Md. Code, Lab. & Empl. § 8.3-801 · Maryland FAMLI — For employers · verified Oct 8, 2026

Apr 30, 2027 · Deadline · MD

First quarterly report and payment

The first quarterly wage-and-hour report and the first payment, for wages paid January 1 – March 31, 2027, are due April 30, 2027. Later due dates: July 31, October 31, January 31. The next-business-day rule is written for the payment only (COMAR 09.42.02.08E): payments are timely on Monday August 2, 2027 and Monday November 1, 2027. Online only: CSV upload, manual entry form or SFTP. To keep small-employer status the report's 'Total employee headcount' field must be filled in with every employee paid in the quarter, in Maryland and elsewhere: the State's QWHR file guide (updated July 29, 2026) says an EIN with that field blank 'will not be eligible for the small employer status' (COMAR 09.42.02.08C–D, which asks for the out-of-state number).

Report and payment are due on the same day.

COMAR 09.42.02.08 · Maryland FAMLI — Submit quarterly reports · verified Oct 8, 2026

Jan 1, 2027 · Effective · MD

Payroll deductions start

Contributions are 0.9% of wages up to the Social Security wage base: 0.45% employer and 0.45% employee, on wages paid on or after January 1, 2027. An employer with fewer than 15 employees in total remits the employee half only. A deduction that was missed cannot be taken from a later paycheck (COMAR 09.42.02.07; one narrow exception).

Md. Code, Lab. & Empl. § 8.3-601; COMAR 09.42.02.06–.07 · Maryland FAMLI — Make contributions · verified Oct 8, 2026

Dec 31, 2026 · Deadline · MD

Give employees notice before the first deduction

An employer that will deduct the employee share gives notice one pay period before payroll deductions begin — December 2026 for a January 2027 start — and again before any later change in employee contributions (COMAR 09.42.02.05D). The State says it will create sample notices; none is published yet (checked October 8, 2026).

Open through December. Your own date is one pay period before your first 2027 payday, which is often before December 31.

COMAR 09.42.02.05D · Maryland FAMLI — For employers · verified Oct 8, 2026

Dec 1, 2026 · Effective · MD

Give employees notice before the first deduction

An employer that will deduct the employee share gives notice one pay period before payroll deductions begin — December 2026 for a January 2027 start — and again before any later change in employee contributions (COMAR 09.42.02.05D). The State says it will create sample notices; none is published yet (checked October 8, 2026).

COMAR 09.42.02.05D · Maryland FAMLI — For employers · verified Oct 8, 2026

Nov 15, 2026 · Deadline · MD

Declaration of Intent for a private plan closes

An employer that wants a private plan and wants to be exempt from paying the State during 2027 files a Declaration of Intent in its FAMLI account between September 1 and November 15, 2026, with the Proof of Private Plan Consultation signed by a licensed insurance agent or other representative of an insurance company in Maryland. Employers that intend to self-insure need the signature too. Decision within 15 business days. All Declarations expire December 31, 2027.

Optional. Only for employers that want a private plan. Nov 15, 2026 is a Sunday; the State's Understand your plan page (read Oct 8, 2026) gives no next-business-day rule for this window, so file before the weekend. A quote before the Insurance Administration approves the insurer's filing is illustrative only (its Bulletin 26-13).

COMAR 09.42.03.10 · Maryland FAMLI — Understand your plan · verified Oct 8, 2026

Sep 30, 2026 · Deadline · MD

Insurer filings for Maryland private plans were due

Maryland Insurance Administration Bulletin 26-13 (June 2, 2026): insurer filings for plans effective January 1, 2028 must be submitted no later than September 30, 2026. Before approval an insurer may give only illustrative rate quotes and must disclose that they are not actual quotes, that final rates are subject to approval by the Administration, and that they may be higher or lower.

A date for insurers, not for employers.

Md. Code, Ins. § 27-202(1); Bulletin 26-13 · Maryland Insurance Administration Bulletin 26-13 (insurance.maryland.gov/Pages/Bulletins/Bulletin-26-13.aspx) · verified Oct 8, 2026

Sep 1, 2026 · Effective · MD

Register your business with FAMLI

Registration opened to all employers on September 1, 2026. Every employer with at least one employee in Maryland must register ('There are no exceptions under state law'). The State's Understand employer registration page and its registration guide give no deadline for existing employers (read Oct 8, 2026); the Governor's release of September 1, 2026 says employers are 'strongly encouraged to register as soon as possible'. Only an Authorized Officer can register (Login.gov identity check); a third-party agent cannot do it for you. A new employer that starts later registers within 20 days of its first wage payment (COMAR 09.42.02.03).

Md. Code, Lab. & Empl. Title 8.3; COMAR 09.42.02.02–.03 · Maryland FAMLI — Understand employer registration · verified Oct 8, 2026

Sep 1, 2026 · Effective · MD

Declaration of Intent for a private plan closes

An employer that wants a private plan and wants to be exempt from paying the State during 2027 files a Declaration of Intent in its FAMLI account between September 1 and November 15, 2026, with the Proof of Private Plan Consultation signed by a licensed insurance agent or other representative of an insurance company in Maryland. Employers that intend to self-insure need the signature too. Decision within 15 business days. All Declarations expire December 31, 2027.

COMAR 09.42.03.10 · Maryland FAMLI — Understand your plan · verified Oct 8, 2026