Maryland Parental Leave Law Exempts Employers Covered by FMLA

Employers covered by the federal Family and Medical Leave Act are exempt from Maryland’s parental leave law, under a bill that will go into effect on Oct. 1.

Employers must provide unpaid parental leave under state law if they employ 15 to 49 employees, while the FMLA only covers those with at least 50 employees, said State Senator Justin Ready (R), sponsor of SB 785, in bill testimony. However, employers can be covered under both laws if they cross the 50-employee threshold during a calendar year, he added.

To avoid confusion, SB 785 makes a technical correction by ...