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Md. Senate and House give preliminary OK to different versions of paid family and medical leave

March 19th, 2022 by WCBC Radio

Maryland’s Senate gave preliminary approval this week to a measure that would enable Marylanders to receive up to 24 weeks of paid leave per year following the birth, adoption or guardianship of a child or to take care of themselves or a relative experiencing serious health issues.

Depending on their pay, Marylanders — who worked either part-time or full-time for at least 680 hours in the last year — would receive a partial wage replacement of between $50 and $1,000 a week under the Time to Care Act of 2022, sponsored by Sens. Antonio Hayes (D-Baltimore City) and Joanne Benson (D-Prince George’s).

Earlier, the House of Delegates gave preliminary approval to their version of the bill — which instead establishes a commission to work out specifics of a statewide paid family leave program, with the goal to implement the program in 2023 so that Marylanders can benefit no later than June 2024.