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Paid Family and Medical Leave Comes to Maine

Helping Maine families balance work, health, and caregiving through Paid Family and Medical Leave

AARP

Published April 15, 2026

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Beginning in May 2026, Maine workers will have access to a new Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) program. This is a major step forward for working families across the state. The program provides eligible employees with up to 12 weeks of paid, job‑protected time off so they can care for themselves or the people who matter most, without risking their income or employment.

This policy didn’t happen by accident. AARP Maine strongly advocated for the PFML law, working alongside caregivers, older Mainers, and labor and community partners to highlight the need for paid leave. With Maine’s aging population and a workforce where many people balance jobs with caregiving responsibilities, PFML responds to a long‑standing gap in economic and family security.

Now we are celebrating as well! Join AARP Maine and The Maine Women’s Lobby and other community partners at the First Friday Art Walk in Bangor and Portland to celebrate. We will have community crafts, treats and educational materials to help workers understand what they need to know about the new program. These events are free and open to the public please stop by and say hello. In Portland we will be at Congress Square Park and in Bangor we will be West Market Square from 4:00-6:00.

Under Maine’s PFML program, workers can take paid leave for several important life needs. These include bonding with a new child by birth, adoption, or foster placement; caring for a family member with a serious health condition; addressing their own serious medical condition; supporting a loved one preparing for military service; or seeking safety from abuse, violence, or assault through what the program calls “safe leave.”

The program is designed with flexibility and worker protection in mind. PFML provides partial wage replacement so workers can continue to receive income while on leave, and job protection for employees who have worked for their employer for at least 120 consecutive days. Leave can be taken all at once or in smaller increments, and importantly, the benefit is portable, meaning it stays with workers even if they change jobs.

Paid Family and Medical Leave matters because life doesn’t pause when illness, family changes or caregiving arise. According to the 2026 AARP Valuing the Invaluable report, 310,000 Mainers are caregivers of adults. These individuals provide care for older parents, spouses, neighbors, and other loved ones, contributing to 220 million hours of care annually. Without paid leave, many workers are forced to choose between a paycheck and their health or family. PFML helps ensure that no one has to make that choice.

To learn more or prepare to apply, visit maine.gov/paidleave, where workers can find up‑to‑date information, eligibility details, and application guidance. As AARP Maine continues its commitment to supporting caregivers and working families, PFML stands as a powerful example of policy that values both work and life.