Maryland has enacted legislation that will delay implementation of a program that will provide job protection and wage-replacement benefits to employees who need time off from work for certain family and medical reasons.
The recently enacted Senate Bill 485 delays implementation to July 1st and clarifies other aspects of the law. The bill amends the definition of a “covered employee” to one who has worked at least 680 hours performing services in the state over the four most recently completed quarters for which reports have been required immediately preceding the date on which leave is to begin.

Senate Bill 485 also clarifies that an employer that adopts a state-approved private plan to comply with the law is prohibited from deducting more than 50 percent of the contribution amount from an employee’s wages.