Maryland FAMLI is coming. Your plan choice starts now.
Contributions begin January 1, 2027. SSGI helps Maryland employers understand the State Plan, evaluate commercial private-plan options, and prepare payroll, leave, and employee communications — with a clear next action and a single decision path.
FAMLI decision status
DOI window opens soonPrepare your Declaration of Intent now so you're ready when the window opens September 1, 2026.
Current milestone shown from the published timeline. Dates may change—confirm with the Maryland Department of Labor.
The FAMLI timeline, as of July 30, 2026
Five milestones shape your FAMLI readiness. Dates reflect the current published schedule and may change — confirm with the Maryland Department of Labor.
DOI window opens for the 2027 private-plan path
September 1, 2026 — The Maryland Department of Labor opens the Declaration of Intent (DOI) window. Employers may begin submitting a DOI to offer a private plan in lieu of the State Plan for the 2027 program year.
DOI submission deadline for a 2027 private-plan path
November 15, 2026 — Final date to submit a Declaration of Intent for a private-plan option for the 2027 program year. An accepted DOI does not itself mean the private plan is approved; during the 2027 seeding period, applicable contributions must be held as required while approval is pending.
Contributions and payroll deductions begin
January 1, 2027 — FAMLI contributions and employee payroll deductions are scheduled to begin. Employers must be ready to withhold and remit on time, including employers pursuing a private plan during the seeding period.
First quarterly wage-and-hour report and State Plan contribution due
April 30, 2027 — The first quarterly State Plan contribution and wage-and-hour report are due. All employers must electronically file quarterly wage-and-hour reports even if using a private plan. Private-plan employers follow their approved plan's reporting requirements once approved.
Benefits begin
January 2028 — Paid leave benefits under Maryland FAMLI are scheduled to begin. Confirm exact benefit start dates with the Maryland Department of Labor.
Important for every employer: All employers must electronically file quarterly wage-and-hour reports even if using a private plan. An accepted Declaration of Intent does not itself mean the private plan is approved. During the 2027 seeding period, applicable contributions must be held as required while approval is pending. Confirm both requirements with MD DOL.
2027 State Plan contribution snapshot
The 2027 contribution figures below come from the April 2026 Maryland Department of Labor Employer FAQ. Confirm current figures with MD DOL.
Total contribution rate
0.9% of covered wages up to the Social Security wage cap
Employer withholding
Employers may withhold up to 0.45% of covered wages.
Small employers (<15 employees)
Employers with fewer than 15 total employees are responsible only for the 0.45% portion and may withhold that amount.
Private-plan rates
Private plans set their own rates and cannot charge employees more than the State Plan employee share.
Source: April 2026 MD Labor Employer FAQ. This snapshot is informational only and is not legal or tax advice. Official Maryland Department of Labor guidance controls.
Choose your plan path
Each path has different administration, flexibility, and responsibility. Select a path to see what it involves — then compare them side by side below.
The default path. No action is required to elect the State Plan — it applies unless you affirmatively pursue a private plan. SSGI helps you understand what the State Plan covers and what it requires of your payroll and reporting.
- Administered by the State of Maryland.
- Contributions remitted to the state; first quarterly report due April 30, 2027.
- Benefit levels set by state statute.
State Plan vs. commercial private plan vs. eligible self-insured
The same seven dimensions across all three paths. SSGI helps you evaluate which fits your business.
State Plan
- Who administers it
- State of Maryland
- How you elect it
- Default — no action required
- Approval
- Not required — the State Plan is the default
- Contribution handling
- Remitted to the State of Maryland
- Quarterly wage-and-hour reporting
- Required — filed electronically with MD DOL, starting with the April 30, 2027 report
- Benefit levels
- Set by state statute
- Employer flexibility
- Limited
Commercial private plan
- Who administers it
- A commercial insurer approved by MD DOL
- How you elect it
- Submit a Declaration of Intent (Sept 1 – Nov 15, 2026) for a 2027 private-plan path
- Approval
- An accepted DOI is required but does not by itself mean the plan is approved
- Contribution handling
- Handled under the commercial plan's terms; employers pursuing a private plan hold, deduct, and remit contributions as applicable under MD Labor rules — not to the State Plan
- Quarterly wage-and-hour reporting
- Required — all employers must electronically file quarterly wage-and-hour reports even when using a private plan
- Benefit levels
- Must meet or exceed State Plan benefits
- Employer flexibility
- Moderate — within commercial plan options
Eligible self-insured
- Who administers it
- The employer (with MD DOL approval)
- How you elect it
- Submit a Declaration of Intent and meet self-insured standards
- Approval
- An accepted DOI is required but does not by itself mean the plan is approved
- Contribution handling
- Funded and administered by the employer under MD Labor rules
- Quarterly wage-and-hour reporting
- Required — all employers must electronically file quarterly wage-and-hour reports even when self-insured
- Benefit levels
- Must meet or exceed State Plan benefits
- Employer flexibility
- High — but with greater administrative responsibility
Comparison is informational only and is not legal or tax advice. Official Maryland Department of Labor guidance controls. Confirm plan requirements with the Maryland Department of Labor and your counsel.
FAMLI readiness checklist
A concise starting point. Confirm each item with the Maryland Department of Labor and your counsel.
- Confirm whether your workforce is covered by Maryland FAMLI.
- Decide between the State Plan, an approved commercial private plan, or an eligible approved self-insured plan.
- If pursuing a private plan, prepare to submit a Declaration of Intent between September 1 and November 15, 2026 for a 2027 private-plan path — and understand an accepted DOI is not plan approval.
- Update payroll systems to handle FAMLI contributions and deductions starting January 1, 2027.
- Set up electronic filing of quarterly wage-and-hour reports — required for all employers, even those using a private plan.
SSGI's evaluation role
We help you evaluate whether the State Plan or a private plan fits your organization — and prepare your operations either way. We are not the plan approver, insurer, claims administrator, or legal adviser; we coordinate with your counsel for compliance decisions.
One accountable partner
SSGI helps employers coordinate compliance responsibilities; SSGI is not Maryland Labor, the plan approver, an insurer, a claims administrator, or a legal adviser. We help you coordinate compliance responsibilities — plan evaluation, payroll readiness, leave processes, and employee communications — so you can move forward with a clear next action.
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about Maryland FAMLI and how SSGI helps.
Sources
Information current as of
Sources
- Maryland Department of Labor — FAMLI Employer FAQ (PDF)Official MD DOL employer FAQ (April 2026).
- Maryland Department of Labor — FAMLI Private-Plan FAQ (PDF)Official MD DOL private-plan FAQ (April 2026).
Legal advice disclaimer: This page is informational only and is not legal or tax advice. Official Maryland Department of Labor guidance controls. Maryland FAMLI rules are subject to change. Confirm all requirements with the Maryland Department of Labor and a qualified attorney before making plan decisions. For more employer-facing background, browse the Employer Benefits Resource Center.
Request a FAMLI Readiness Review
We'll review your workforce, your three plan paths, and your readiness timeline — with clear next steps and no obligation.