When Does the Law Become Effective and Who is Covered?
The new Maine earned paid leave law will become effective January 1, 2021 and applies to all employers who employ more than 10 employees in Maine for more than 120 days in any calendar year. (There is an exception for seasonal industries).
A “covered employee” eligible for earned paid leave is essentially any employee covered by unemployment and may include a person who is employed full-time, part-time, or per diem. (If an employer is in a seasonal industry and has submitted the required reports to the Bureau of Unemployment Compensation designating the seasonal period for the applicable year, an employee working only within the designated seasonal period will be exempt from coverage and not eligible for paid leave under the law).
Employees covered by collective bargaining agreements (CBAs) as of January 1, 2021 are excluded until the CBA expires. New CBAs after that date must include the earned paid leave benefit at a minimum. Read More