PORTLAND, Maine — Most Maine employees will get up to 12 weeks of paid time off for household or medical factors as part of a additional spendingplan Democratic Gov. Janet Mills signed into law on Tuesday.
The costs costs consistedof $25 million in start-up expenses for the state program which permits employees — beginning in 2026 — to get paid leave to offer with healthproblem, to care for a relative, or for the birth of a kid.
Maine signsupwith a lots other states that haveactually paid household and medical leave programs. The focus of legislation hasactually been at the state level after failure to gain traction in Congress.
The program captured the attention of the White House, where press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre praised the state’s action.
“Paid household and medical leave enhances the lives of working households and enhances our laborforce and economy,” she stated, including that the Biden administration has worked to make the federal federalgovernment a design by supporting federal employees in accessing required leave.
Putting it in individual terms, Mills stated that she deeply comprehended the requirement for the program — havingactually dealt with the loss of a otherhalf following a crippling stroke, the truths of raising 5 stepdaughters on her own and caring for her own aging momsanddads, all while working complete time.
“I understand direct the difficulties of supplying care to liked ones while attempting to handle all the unforeseen ups and downs that are just realities of life,” she formerly composed in a news