Employee Benefits and Relations Archives

A County FAQ for Maryland’s Upcoming FAMLI Paid Leave Deadlines

With key deadlines approaching under Maryland’s Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FAMLI) program, counties face important decisions about how to manage the new paid leave requirements. Beginning January 1, 2027, employers participating in the State Plan must begin payroll withholding and contributions at the state-set rate of 0.9% of payroll. Counties seeking to pursue a private plan instead must submit a Declaration of Intent (DOI) to the Maryland Department of Labor by November 15, 2026.…

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October 15, 2026

Cyber / Economic Development / Labor

Federal Grant to Expand Rural Maryland Workforce Training

A $2.38 million federal grant will help nine Maryland colleges and universities strengthen workforce training and connect rural students with internships and employment opportunities in high-demand fields. As covered in a Baltimore Sun article, the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC) announced the Maryland Rural Pathways to Prosperity Network, which aims to serve 1,000 students through career advising and job training. The program will focus on in-demand careers such as aerospace, cybersecurity, education, health care, high-tech…

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October 15, 2026

County Budgets / County News / Employee Benefits and Relations / Health and Human Services / Human Resources

Prescription Drug Affordability Board Moves Forward With New Savings

Maryland’s Prescription Drug Affordability Board (PDAB) is moving forward with efforts to reduce prescription drug costs, with new savings expected for state and local governments. As a Maryland Matters op-ed by Vinny DeMarco, President of the Maryland Health Care for All Coalition, explains, the Prescription Drug Affordability Board was created in 2019 as the first board of its kind and is tasked with identifying and addressing high prescription drug costs. This year, the Board established…

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October 8, 2026

County News / Employee Benefits and Relations / Human Resources / Labor

You’ve Decided on a Plan for FAMLI. Now What?

With counties now deciding whether to participate in Maryland’s FAMLI State Plan or pursue an Equivalent Private Insurance Plan (EPIP), the next question is: what happens next? Employers choosing the State Plan should prepare for payroll contributions beginning in January of 2027. Employers collecting employee contributions must provide notice to employees one pay period before deductions begin. Counties, as public employers, should also ensure they are registered with FAMLI and have identified staff responsible for…

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October 8, 2026

County Budgets / Emergency Management / Employee Benefits and Relations / Health and Human Services / Human Resources

Apply for the MD Firefighters Innovative Cancer Screening Program RFA

The Maryland Department of Health (MDH) is issuing Requests for Applications (RFA) for a grant program designed to help local fire departments and volunteer fire companies access innovative cancer screening technologies. Through the Maryland Volunteer and Professional Firefighters Innovative Cancer Screening Technologies Program, the Department's Prevention and Health Promotion Administration (PHPA) will provide grants to support the procurement and administration of cancer screening tests that are not commonly offered as part of routine physical examinations…

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October 1, 2026

County News / Employee Benefits and Relations / Human Resources / Labor

Webinar to Help Employers Navigate FAMLI Registration

Maryland employers can get answers to common FAMLI registration questions during an upcoming webinar on September 30. The Maryland Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FAMLI) team will host an “Understanding FAMLI Registration” webinar on Wednesday, September 30, from 1 PM to 2 PM via Zoom. The webinar will provide an overview of the FAMLI registration process and address employer questions and concerns. The session is intended to help stakeholders better understand the registration requirements and make…

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September 24, 2026

County News / Information Technology / Labor

Governor Moore Outlines AI Framework for Maryland

A new state framework outlines priorities for responsible AI development, workforce training, and protections for residents. Governor Wes Moore announced a new AI framework focused on three priorities: protecting residents from emerging AI-related risks, preparing workers for changes brought by the technology, and keeping children safe. The framework calls for potential regulations on frontier AI companies, including safety testing, independent evaluations, worker protections, whistleblower protections, public reporting, and incident reporting. It also directs state agencies…

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September 22, 2026

County Budgets / County News / Employee Benefits and Relations / Human Resources / Labor

MD Dept of Labor: FAMLI Employer Registration Is Now Open

Maryland has opened employer registration for its Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FAMLI) program, another step as the state prepares to launch the program. The Maryland Department of Labor announced in a press release the opening of employer registration for Maryland’s Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FAMLI) program, marking another key step toward implementation of the state’s paid family and medical leave program. All employers with at least one Maryland-based employee are required to register…

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September 8, 2026

County Budgets / County News / Employee Benefits and Relations / Human Resources / Labor / Policy Deep Dive

Deep Dive: Navigating Maryland’s FAMLI Private Plan Option

As Maryland moves toward implementation of the Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FAMLI) program, counties considering participation in a private plan through the MACo, MABE, MML Time to Care Act (TCA) Collaborative should be aware of several important updates to the private-plan process and upcoming deadlines. As previously covered by MACo, in 2023, MACo joined with the Maryland Association of Boards of Education (MABE) and the Maryland Municipal League (MML) to develop a collaborative joint…

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September 2, 2026

County Budgets / County News / Employee Benefits and Relations / Human Resources / Labor

MD Paid Leave Program: Key Updates and Deadlines for Counties

As counties prepare for Maryland’s new paid family and medical leave program, a recent webinar hosted by Bolton is updating local governments on private-plan coverage and helping public employers navigate upcoming decisions. The MACo, MABE, MML Time to Care Act (TCA) Collaborative recently provided an update on its private-plan process, including changes in the insurance market and upcoming deadlines for local governments. As previously covered by MACo, in 2023, MACo joined with the Maryland Association…

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August 27, 2026