The Massachusetts Department of Family and Medical Leave (DFML) has postponed the date by which employers must notify their current workforces of certain legally required information about the state’s new Paid Family and Medical Leave program until September 30, 2019. The notice deadline was originally June 30, 2019.
The DFML’s action follows the postponement by the state legislature and Governor Charlie Baker of the date by which employers are to begin payroll deductions to fund the paid benefits program. The new deduction start date is October 1, 2019; it was originally July 1, 2019. The contribution rate has also changed; it is now 0.75%, an increase from the expected 0.63% rate.
Given the delay in the start of payroll deductions, the first quarterly report and contributions are now due to the DFML no later than January 31, 2020. For employers considering a private plan exemption, the deadline to apply is now December 20, 2019.
The DFML has issued no notice of a delay to the availability of benefits beginning in 2021. The final regulations will be published and take effect on July 1, 2019. Additional information about the delay can be found on the DFML website.
We will continue to monitor developments concerning the Paid Family and Medical Leave program and will provide further updates as more information becomes available. For a comprehensive overview of the program, see our prior LawFlash, Paid Family and Medical Leave Coming to Massachusetts, issued on May 31.
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