AUGUSTA, Maine — Democrats in the Maine House of Representatives followed Senate counterparts on Thursday to approve a program allowing workers to take up to 12 weeks of paid family and medical leave in Maine.
The House voted 79-65 to pass the proposal led by Assistant Senate Majority Leader Mattie Daughtry, D-Brunswick, and Assistant House Majority Leader Kristen Cloutier, D-Lewiston. The Senate passed it Wednesday in a party-line vote. It faces further votes, but it remains on track to get through the State House with Gov. Janet Mills signaling that she will sign it.
The Democratic governor previously shared concerns over the cost and sweeping nature of the program, mirroring Republicans and business groups that still oppose the bill. But Mills’ spokesperson said this week she is encouraged by changes made since it was introduced. Progressives have been planning a 2024 referendum on the issue if it fails in Augusta.
The sponsors have said $12 million will be needed immediately to start the program, but Democrats have advanced it despite no current estimate of how much the program will cost annually when fully implemented. An estimate on an earlier version put it at $387 million.
A 1 percent payroll tax to fund the program would be split between employees and employers. The bill would cap the maximum 12 weeks of paid leave at the state’s average weekly wage, which is currently $1,036 and rising to about $1,100 starting July 1. The program would start in January 2025 and benefits would come in May 2026.
Companies with fewer than 15 employees would be exempt from paying into the program, with job protections not offered for workers at the smaller firms if their employers apply for an “undue hardship” exemption. Part-time and full-time workers must contribute more than $6,200, or six times the state weekly average wage, to become eligible for paid leave.
Under the program, workers could take leave for a variety of reasons, such as the birth, adoption or fostering of a child, supporting a sick or dying loved one, recovery from surgery or other health challenges, or managing urgent safety needs if they or family members are domestic violence victims.
BDN writer Michael Shepherd contributed to this report.