On December 4, 2024, the Maine Department of Labor (DOL) adopted finalized rules for the Maine Paid Family and Medical Leave Program (PFML). This rulemaking follows the Maine Legislature’s passage of the new law in 2023. Employer contributions and employee pay deductions to fund these benefits begin on Jan. 1, 2025. Employees can begin

Debra Weiss Ford
With four decades in employment law, Debra “Deb” Weiss Ford stands as a steadfast advocate for her clients. In both state and federal venues, Deb combines strategic insight with her extensive knowledge to achieve optimal legal results. No New Hampshire employment law challenge is unfamiliar to her. Her litigation experience ensures effective solutions for both common and novel issues. She’s adeptly represented employers before key institutions, including the New Hampshire Commission for Human Rights, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination. This experience grants her unique insights into their processes, offering clients a marked advantage.
Central to Deb’s practice, and of utmost importance in today's workplace environment, is her vast experience in providing workplace trainings. With literally thousands under her belt, her sessions have been consistently described as educational, insightful, and creative. Deb’s ability to impart knowledge is evident in how she breaks down complex issues into easily understandable segments. These trainings, tailored to each organization’s needs, have proven invaluable in promoting healthy workplaces, avoiding potential litigation, and ensuring compliance.
Deb’s specialization spans areas like discrimination, wrongful discharge, wage and hour issues, workplace trainings, and Title IX compliance. Her approach is always tailored, rooted in a deep understanding of comprehensive legal landscapes. Beyond litigation, Deb routinely provides advice and counsel to clients, with a practical orientation focused on avoiding litigation based on her deep knowledge of litigation risks.
Maine Paid Family and Medical Leave Program Update: Labor Department Releases Revised Proposed Rules
The Maine Department of Labor (DOL) announced revised proposed rulemaking for the Maine Paid Family and Medical Leave Program. This comes on the heels of the first draft of proposed rules issued on May 20, 2024.
Public comment is open through Sept. 30, 2024. Comments can be submitted here.
Maine DOL’s rulemaking follows the …
Maine Enacts New Paid Family and Medical Leave Act
Beginning May 1, 2026, Maine’s new paid family leave law will allow Maine employees up to 12 weeks of family and medical leave benefits over a one-year period.
Benefits will be financed by a mandatory “premium” based on employee wages of up to 1%, to be split evenly between employee and employer, with each bearing…
Vermont Governor Announces Family and Medical Leave Insurance Plan
Vermont will join its neighboring state New Hampshire in implementing a voluntary paid family and medical leave insurance program.
Read more here.
New Hampshire Adopts Paid Leave Program
On June 24, 2021, the New Hampshire Legislature passed a two-year state budget that includes a paid leave program. Governor Chris Sununu signed the budget on June 25, 2021, and coverage must be provided by January 1, 2023.
The voluntary program, called the Granite State Paid Family Leave Plan, provides New Hampshire workers with 60…
Maine Expands State FMLA to Allow Leave to Care for Serious Health Conditions of Grandchildren
Maine employees will soon be eligible to take protected unpaid leave to care for serious health conditions of their grandchildren. On June 14, 2021, Governor Janet Mills signed into law L.D. 61, an Act to Include Grandparents Under Maine’s Family Medical Leave Laws. The law amends the Maine Family Medical Leave Act to allow an…
Maine Labor Department Releases Final Rules for Earned Paid Leave Law
As the January 1, 2021, effective date of Maine’s Earned Paid Employee Leave Law approaches, the state Department of Labor (DOL) has promulgated the much-anticipated final regulations for implementing the statute.
Under the law, private employers with at least 10 employees in Maine must provide employees one hour of paid leave for every 40 hours…
Paid Leave Law in Maine Passes Legislature and Waits for Governor Signature
The Maine legislature recently passed An Act Authorizing Earned Employee Leave. If Governor Mills, who has been vocal in her support of the bill, signs the bill into law, it would take effect on January 1, 2021.
The bill would require Maine employers with 10 or more employees working for more than 120 hours in…