New Maryland Law Requires Employers to Provide Additional Leave to Families of Service Members
Maryland employers should be aware of a new law passed by the Maryland legislature that requires certain employers to provide one day of leave to an eligible employee who is the “immediate family member” of a service member on the day the service member is leaving for or returning from active duty outside the United States. The employer may not require an employee to use sick or vacation leave, or paid time off for these days.
The law applies to private employers with more than 50 employees as well as to state, county, and municipal governments. To be eligible for this leave, employees must have worked for at least 1,250 hours during the last 12 months. Employers may require employees to provide documentation verifying that the leave is for this permitted basis.