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On July 11, 2023, Governor Mills signed an historic budget that includes the creation of a paid family and medical leave program, making Maine the 13th state to establish one. Beginning in 2026, eligible workers in the private and public sector will have 12 weeks of paid time off available to them for family or medical reasons including illness, to care for a relative, or for the birth of a child.


The image shows a timeline for PFML implementation, starting with law enactment on October 25, 2023. The PFML Authority will be appointed by January 1, 2024. Rulemaking will begin during spring 2024. Payroll contributions begin January 2025. Benefits are scheduled to begin May 2026.

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Maine’s Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) Program was enacted through 2023 Public Law Chapter 412. The PFML law is included in Part AAA. An excerpted copy of the law, specific to Part AAA, can be found here.

The rulemaking process will include an informal period for collecting information prior to the formal process required by the Maine Administrative Procedures Act (MAPA). MAPA requires the Maine Department of Labor post draft rules for public comment for a period of at least thirty days. During this comment period, the Department intends to hold a public hearing in order to gather feedback on the drafted rules as well as collect written comments. Final adoption of the rules requires the Department to provide a response to all public comments.

PFML Rulemaking Public Hearing Videos

  • PFML Program Established: October 25, 2023 
  • Authority Appointed: January 1, 2024 
  • Rulemaking begins: Spring 2024 
  • Payroll contributions begin: January 1, 2025 
  • Benefits begin: May 1, 2026 

Director - Luke Monahan was born in Western Maine, and is the son of a small business owner. He attended Bowdoin College, and then Northeastern University for graduate studies. He started his career with case management non-profits in Southern Maine, working with jail diversion programs, with community support services for unhoused populations in Portland area, and with at risk youth diverted from secure detention. With the State of Maine, he brings over 12 years program administration experience with the Department of Corrections and Department of Health and Human Services. Most recently, he has acted as the Associate Director for the Division of Disability Determination Services with the Department of Health and Human Services, an office that was tasked with making the medical determinations of the Social Security Disability Insurance program.

Deputy Director – Reggie Parson currently serves as Deputy Director for the Maine Paid Family and Medical Leave Program with the Maine Department of Labor. Prior to his current role, he served as legislative staff in the House Majority Office and for two former Maine House Speakers from 2019 to 2023.  He has a Master of Public Administration from the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh and a Juris Doctor with a Pro bono publico Award with distinction from the University of Maine School of Law.

This FAQ is based on the best information available prior to the adoption of rules for the PFML program. This information is subject to change.

  • الأسئلة الشائعة: المساهمات والمفاوضة الجماعية (وورد) (بي دي إف) - Arabic
  • FAQ: Contributions and Collective Bargaining (Word) (PDF) - English
  • FAQ : Cotisations et négociation collective (Mot) (PDF) - French
  • FAQ: Kontribisyon ak Negosyasyon Kolektif (Mo) (PDF) - Haitian-Creole
  • FAQ: Makabo mpe boyokani ya lisanga (Liloba) (PDF) - Lingala
  • FAQ: Contribuições e Negociação Coletiva (Palavra) (PDF) - Portuguese
  • FAQ: Wax ku biirinta iyo gorgortanka wadareed (Eray) (PDF) - Somali
  • Preguntas frecuentes: contribuciones y negociación colectiva (Palabra) (PDF) - Spanish

The Paid Family and Medical Leave Benefits Authority as created by Public Law 2023, Chapter 412 is a fifteen member body with the responsibility of advising on the administration of the Paid Family and Medical Leave program. Eleven of the fifteen members are appointed by the Governor and subject to review by the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over labor matters and to confirmation by the Maine State Senate.

Below are the members of the Paid Family and Medical Leave Benefits Authority :

  • Benjamin K. Grant - bgrant@maineea.org: Member with expertise in issues affecting labor and independent contractors. Organization: Maine Education Association
  • David Barber -  David.barber207@icloud.com: Employer with more than 50 employees. Organization: Barber Foods
  • Vice-Chair Samuel J. Hight - pfmla.samhight@gmail.com: Member who is self-employed. Organization: Owns and operates multiple organizations including Hight Ford, Inc., Hight Chevrolet Farmington, and Hight Properties, LLC.
  • Christopher K. Washburn - Pfmla.chriswashburn@gmail.com: Expertise in issues related to paid family leave benefits and paid medical leave benefits. Organization: Delhaize America
  • Michelle Corry - corrymichelle55@gmail.com: An employer in the hospitality industry. Organization: Five fifty-five
  • Jay Naliboff, MD - pfmla.jnaliboff@gmail.com: Expertise in treating issues affecting maternity and postpartum care. Organization: Retired.
  • Jenni Tilton-Flood - pfmla.jennitiltonflood@gmail.com: Expertise in agriculture, a seasonal workforce or a heritage industry. Organization: Flood Brothers Farm.
  • Sarah Conroy - pfmla.sarahconroy@gmail.com: Expertise in issues affecting elder care. Organization: Androscoggin Home Healthcare + Hospice.
  • Ranae L’Italian - Expertise in childcare and early childhood development. Organization: Kennebec Valley YMCA.
  • Chair Maria Fox - pfmla.mariafox@gmail.com: Expertise in employment law representing employee interests. Organization: Murray, Plumb and Murray
  • Christina Bonney - tinabonney.pfmla@gmail.com: Employer with less than 50 employees. Organization: Foundation Brewing Company
  • Kimberly Smith - Deputy Commissioner of Department of Labor
  • Joan Cohen - Deputy Commissioner of Department of Professional and Financial Regulation
  • Douglas Cotnoir - State Controller
  • Brieanna Gutierrez - representing the Department of Health and Human Services with expertise in foster care and adoption

Benefits Authority Meetings

  • Tuesday, September 3, 2024 from 9-11 a.m

PFML Benefits Authority Meeting Videos

MDOL held informal listening sessions to provide an opportunity for interested parties to share invaluable feedback about components of the new Paid Family and Medical Leave legislation. Recordings of these sessions can be watched below:

  • January 25, 2024 from 5:30pm-7pm - Contributions (YouTube)
  • February 1, 2024 from 5:30pm-7pm - Eligibility (YouTube)
  • February 12, 2024 from 5:30pm-7pm - Private Plans (YouTube)
  • February 28, 2024 from 5:30pm-7pm - Any provisions related to the PFML law (YouTube)

These informal listening sessions do not replace and is in addition to the formal regulatory process governed by the Maine Administrative Procedures Act (MAPA).

Note: Due to recent updates to the overview PowerPoint we are also in the process of updating the PowerPoints in Arabic, French, Haitian/Creole, Lingala, Portuguese, Somali and Spanish. Thank your for your patience at this time.