ABOUT HOUSE BILL 8 AND SENATE BILL 275

This past week, hearings took place for legislation introduced as House Bill 8 and Senate Bill 275 that would add a Family & Medical Leave mandate for Maryland's businesses. The main part of the legislation, known as the Time to Care Act, would grant workers up to 12 weeks of paid leave. It would also provide long-term care such as following childbirth and a family member caring for someone with a “serious health condition,” and workers can receive partial wage replacement.

Employees would make weekly contributions to a state Family and Medical Leave Insurance Fund program not to exceed 0.75% of an employee’s wages.

According to the bill, “any covered employee is an employee who has worked at least 680 hours over a 12-month period immediately preceding the date on which leave is to begin.”

Although opponents support the bill’s concept, they still believe it’s too burdensome for local governments, small businesses, and nonprofit organizations stating that the law ought to balance a leave right against the needs of employers.

For more information on this bill, please click the following link: HB 8 | SB 275