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MaineLD 894132nd Maine Legislature (2025-2026)SenateWALLET

An Act to Amend the Laws Governing Paid Family and Medical Leave

Sponsored By: Matthea E. L. Daughtry (Democratic)

Became Law

EMPLOYMENT PRACTICESEMPLOYMENT PRACTICES - LEAVE

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.

Tougher paid leave enforcement for employers

The Department of Labor can sue to collect unpaid paid-leave premiums and can levy third parties that hold an employer’s property, after appeals end. If you buy a business or most of its assets, you may owe the seller’s unpaid premiums and penalties, up to the reasonable value of what you bought; the department must share the balance in writing if you ask. Employers with private paid-leave plans face $100 per violation. If coverage lapses, the fine equals the missed premiums plus 1% of payroll for the lapse period. Employers may not use employees’ premium shares to pay these fines.

Clear rules for intermittent paid leave

If you are covered by Maine’s paid family and medical leave, you can take leave in full-day chunks or on a reduced schedule. You and your employer may agree to smaller chunks, but never less than one hour. Taking leave this way does not cut the total leave time you are entitled to.

New state bureau runs paid leave

The Department of Labor runs the paid family and medical leave program through a new Bureau of Paid Family and Medical Leave. The Bureau can hire staff, set procedures, require reports, investigate, and impose assessments. The Bureau is part of the department’s formal structure and enforces the program for covered employers and workers.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Matthea E. L. Daughtry

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Kristen Cloutier

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 382 • No: 364

House vote • 6/9/2025

Enactment

Yes: 75 • No: 71

House vote • 6/4/2025

report "a" ought to pass

Yes: 72 • No: 70

House vote • 6/4/2025

IPP HAH-489

Yes: 72 • No: 70

House vote • 6/4/2025

IPP HBH-490

Yes: 71 • No: 70

House vote • 6/4/2025

PASSAGE TO BE ENGROSSED

Yes: 72 • No: 69

Senate vote • 6/2/2025

ACCEPT REPORT 'A' OUGHT TO PASS

Yes: 20 • No: 14

Actions Timeline

  1. ACTPUB Chapter 277

    5/1/2026

  2. PASSED TO BE ENACTED, in concurrence.

    6/9/2025Senate

  3. RELEASED.

    6/9/2025House

  4. PASSED TO BE ENACTED. ROLL CALL NO. 362(Yeas 75 - Nays 71 - Absent 3 - Excused 2)Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.HELD.

    6/9/2025House

  5. Reports READ.On motion of Representative ROEDER of Bangor, REPORT A Ought to Pass was ACCEPTED.ROLL CALL NO. 310(Yeas 72 - Nays 70 - Absent 9 - Excused 0)The Bill was READ ONCE.Under suspension of the rules, the Bill was given its SECOND READING without REFERENCE to the Committee on Bills in the Second Reading.On motion of Representative CARLOW of Buxton, House Amendment "A" (H-489) was READ.On motion of Representative MOONEN of Portland House Amendment "A" (H-489) was INDEFINITELY POSTPONED.ROLL CALL NO. 311(Yeas 72 - Nays 70 - Absent 9 - Excused 0)On motion of Representative CARLOW of Buxton, House Amendment "B" (H-490) was READ.Representative CARLOW of Buxton, REQUESTED a division. On motion of Representative MOONEN of Portland House Amendment "B" (H-490) was INDEFINITELY POSTPONED.ROLL CALL NO. 312(Yeas 71 - Nays 70 - Absent 10 - Excused 0)Subsequently, the Bill was PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED.ROLL CALL NO. 313(Yeas 72 - Nays 69 - Absent 10 - Excused 0)In concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    6/4/2025House

  6. Reports READ On motion by Senator TIPPING of Penobscot Report A Ought to Pass Report ACCEPTED. PREVAILED Roll Call Ordered Roll Call Number 295 Yeas 20 - Nays 14 - Excused 1 - Absent 0 Bill READ ONCE Under suspension of the Rules, READ A SECOND TIME and PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED. Sent down for concurrence

    6/2/2025Senate

  7. CARRIED OVER, in the same posture, to the next special or regular session of the 132nd Legislature, pursuant to Joint Order SP 519.

    3/21/2025Senate

  8. Received by the Secretary of the Senate on March 5, 2025 and REFERRED to the Committee on LABOR pursuant to Joint Rule 308.2

    3/5/2025Senate

Bill Text

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