As the State delays its Family Leave program, MACo and its partners will host a webinar to discuss the process ahead, both generally and for those counties joining a Collaborative to meet these needs through a joint private alternative option.
As reported earlier on Conduit Street, the Maryland Department of Labor (DOL) is delaying the implementation of Maryland’s Time to Care Act (TCA) for 18 months. The General Assembly passed HB 102, which included the delay. MACo and the Collaborative also advocated for a provision that was adopted that ensures that public employers who pursue the currently authorized option to offer comparable benefits through a private offering (which nearly every local government expects to pursue) can avoid being needlessly burdened by early withholding obligations.
Key new dates will be:
• January 1, 2027 – Employer/employee contributions begin for the State TCA plan
• January 1, 2028 – Benefits begin for all employers
Please join us on May 5 from 10:00–11:30 am for a webinar for the MABE/MACo/MML Collaborative members to discuss important updates regarding the delay, including:
- The Collaborative’s ongoing advocacy for members with State regulators and legislators
- Timeline for Collaborative RFP for private insurance coverage
- Key next steps / considerations for employers
- Process for opting out of the State TCA Plan
- Potential timeframe for final regulations from Maryland’s Department of Labor
Reserve your spot for the webinar.
County governments that have not yet signed their intentions to join the collaborative remain welcome to register and benefit from the information MACo and its partners have assembled on the process going forward.
We look forward to seeing you on May 5 at 10:00 am.
