According to the Associated Industries of Massachusetts (AIM), and confirmed by other news sources, Governor Baker and state legislators have agreed to delay for three months, until October 1, 2019, the effective date for collecting and remitting contributions for paid family and medical leave (PFML). Under current law, the requirement for making PFML contributions is effective July 1, 2019. (AIM blog, 6-11-2019; MassLive, 6-12-2019.)

So that the delay does not lower anticipated PMFL trust fund revenues, the contribution will increase from .63% to .75% of taxable wages up to the Social Security wage limit of $132,900 for 2019.

This is not the first extension in implementing the effective date of the Massachusetts PFML program provisions. On May 1, 2019, the Department announced that exemptions for private plans for the first quarter 2019 was extended from June 30, 2019 to September 20, 2019. Also, on May 1, 2019, the Department announced that the deadline for providing notice to employees about the PFML program was extended from May 31, 2019 to June 30, 2019. (Massachusetts Department of Paid Family and Medical Leave.)

Beginning January 1, 2021 most workers in Massachusetts will be eligible to receive up to 12 weeks of paid family leave and up to 20 weeks of paid medical leave. On July 1, 2021, all benefits will be available.

The Department has posted guides for employers and workers to its website. See also the Department's frequently asked questions regarding the program. For more information on the paid family and medical leave program, see the Department's website.

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