Maines new paid family leave law faces several efforts to hamstring program [Video]

Maine legislators heard testimony on more than a dozen bills Wednesday aimed at amending, delaying or outright repealing the state’s fledgling paid family and medical leave program.

As business leaders prepared for a slate of afternoon hearings before the Legislature’s labor committee, the broad-based Maine Paid Family Leave Coalition held a noontime rally outside the State House to defend the program against what coalition members say are attempts to destroy it.

In January, the state started collecting a new 1% payroll tax, split evenly between employers and employees, to build up a revenue reserve before benefits become available May 1, 2026. Maine was the 13th state to adopt this kind of law.

Approved by the Legislature in 2023, the program’s rules and regulations took more than a year to develop, and not everyone is pleased with the outcome — especially Maine’s business owners.

Ten bills sponsored by Republicans would address their concerns, including LD 1249 — which would delay the launch of benefits …