Paid Family and Medical Leave Benefits Authority Holds First Meeting

March 12, 2024

For Immediate Release: March 12, 2024

Paid Family and Medical Leave Benefits Authority Holds First Meeting

Members named their Chair and Vice Chair

AUGUSTA - Maine's newly confirmed Paid Family and Medical Leave Benefits Authority met for the first time today, March 12, 2024 at 45 Commerce Drive in Augusta. The meeting included introductions, an overview of the Paid Family and Medical Leave statute, and commission training. Members of the public were able to watch the meeting in-person or via Zoom.

During the meeting, the Authority unanimously voted Maria Fox in as Chair of the Authority, and Samuel Hight as Vice-Chair. They also voted to adopt a remote meeting policy for when members are unable to attend in-person.

The members of the Authority who were appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Maine State Senate are as follows:

• Benjamin K. Grant- Member with expertise in issues affecting labor and independent contractors. Organization: Maine Education Association
• David Barber-Employer with more than 50 employees. Organization: Barber Foods
• Vice-Chair Samuel J. Hight-Member who is self-employed. Organization: Owns and operates multiple organizations including Hight Ford, Inc., Hight Chevrolet Farmington, and Hight Properties, LLC.
• Christopher J. Washburn-Expertise in issues related to paid family leave benefits and paid medical leave benefits. Organization: Delhaize America
• Michelle Corry-An employer in the hospitality industry. Organization: Five fifty-five
• Jay Naliboff, MD-Expertise in treating issues affecting maternity and postpartum care. Organization: Retired.
• Jenni Tilton-Flood-Expertise in agriculture, a seasonal workforce or a heritage industry. Organization: Flood Brothers Farm.
• Sarah Conroy-Expertise in issues affecting elder care. Organization: Androscoggin Home Healthcare + Hospice.
• Ranae LItalian-Expertise in childcare and early childhood development. Organization: Kennebec Valley YMCA.
• Chair Maria Fox- Expertise in employment law representing employee interests. Organization: Murray, Plumb and Murray

The Authoritys next meetings are scheduled for: - Tuesday, May 7 from 9-11 a.m. - Tuesday, June 11 from 9-11 a.m.

The most up-to-date information on Maines Paid Family and Medical Leave Program can be found here: https://www.maine.gov/labor/pfml/

Supporting documents

Download a picture of the committee meeting

Download a picture of the Chair and Vice-Chair of the committee