Maine Department of Labor Continues Listening Sessions on New Paid Family Medical Leave Program Bookmark and Share

January 30, 2024

For Immediate Release: January 30, 2024

Maine Department of Labor Continues Listening Sessions on New Paid Family Medical Leave Program

The informal listening sessions provide an opportunity for interested parties to share invaluable feedback about components of the new Paid Family and Medical Leave legislation.

AUGUSTA - The Maine Department of Labor held its first listening session for the Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) program on January 25, and is inviting the public to attend the next three scheduled sessions.

These listening sessions are an opportunity for members of the public to raise questions and identify areas that need clarification in the legislation and will be used to inform the official rulemaking process, which will begin in the spring. The first session, held on Thursday, January 25, was on the topic of contributions. Many valuable questions and points were raised about contributions for the Department to consider, as well as topic ideas to add for upcoming sessions.

The upcoming scheduled listening sessions and their topics are as follows:

  • February 1, 2024 from 5:30pm-7pm Topic: Eligibility
  • February 12, 2024 from 5:30pm-7pm Topic: Private Plans
  • February 28, 2024 from 5:30pm-7pm Topic: Informal public comment on any provisions related to the PFML law

The meetings are all virtual, but there will also be access to watch in the Frances Perkins Room at the Maine Department of Labor's Augusta office, 45 Commerce Drive, Augusta. These informal listening sessions do not replace and is in addition to the formal regulatory process governed by the Maine Administrative Procedures Act (MAPA).

Each listening session will end at 7 p.m., or when everyone who wishes to comment has done so, whichever comes first.

To register for an upcoming session, or to watch the recordings of past sessions, visit https://www.maine.gov/labor/pfml/

"Governor Mills Announces Nominations to New Paid Family and Medical Leave Benefits Authority": https://www.maine.gov/governor/mills/news/governor-mills-announces-nominations-new-paid-family-and-medical-leave-benefits-authority-2024