Family and Medical Leave Insurance Program - Delay of Implementation

SB 355 delays the start dates for Maryland's Family and Medical Leave Insurance Program. It pushes back the employee and employer contribution start date from July 1, 2025, to July 1, 2027, and postpones the first eligibility to submit claims for benefits from July 1, 2026, to July 1, 2028. This affects employees, employers with 15+ staff, and self-employed individuals who would contribute to the program, as well as workers seeking benefits for reasons like newborn care, family medical needs, or military family situations. The bill does not change the program's benefit amounts, coverage, or cost structure - only the implementation timeline.