Workers in Maine will get paid time off starting in 2026, as governor signs budget
Maine Gov. Janet Mills has signed into law a supplemental budget that includes establishment of a paid family and medical leave program
By DAVID SHARP
Published - Jul 11, 2023, 02:15 PM ET
Last Updated - Jul 11, 2023, 02:53 PM EDT
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Most Maine workers will get up to 12 weeks of paid time off for family or medical reasons as part of a supplemental budget Democratic Gov. Janet Mills signed into law on Tuesday.
The spending bill included $25 million in startup costs for the state program which allows workers — starting in 2026 — to receive paid leave to deal with illness, to care for a relative, or for the birth of a child.
Maine joins a dozen other states that have paid family and medical leave programs. The focus of legislation has been at the state level after failure to gain traction in Congress.
The program caught the attention of the White House, where press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre applauded the state’s action.
