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Amy Roeder represents part of Bangor in District 23 in the Maine House of Representatives.
Two years ago this July, Maine made history by approving what I consider one of the most important laws for working families in a generation — paid family and medical leave (PFML). I was proud to vote for it then, and I’m even prouder today as we move closer to full implementation.
While the program won’t begin delivering benefits until 2026, the groundwork is well underway. That’s despite the fact that a wave of bills seeking to weaken or dismantle the program rolled through the Legislature this session.
Misinformation has proliferated since PFML’s passage in 2023, partly designed to create fear among the very people who will benefit. These myths don’t line up with the evidence and experiences from other states, but implied the program was rushed and offered no compromise to business owners. That could not be further from the truth — a diverse panel of policymakers, legislators and other experts spent more than a year refining the program to be fair and efficient, balancing the needs of workers, caregivers, and employers to create a program that works for all Mainers.
This session the Legislature stood strong, despite false attacks. Every proposed rollback was soundly defeated.
Instead of passing bills that would delay or destabilize the program, we passed clarifying updates to ensure smooth implementation and adopted a bipartisan study to safeguard the program’s long-term financial health. I believe that’s responsible governance and it reflects the will of the people. In fact, a nonpartisan poll conducted in February showed that 70 percent of Mainers supported paid family and medical leave — a strong majority that knows how much it will benefit from the program.
As a working mom, an artist, a union member, and the former director of a peer-run mental health recovery center, I know that life doesn’t wait for the right moment. A long-awaited call from the adoption agency, a serious illness, or a family crisis can upend everything. That’s when people need time, without risking their job or their income. And right now, only one in five private-sector workers in the U.S. have paid family leave through their employer.
Starting next year, this Maine law will provide up to 12 weeks of paid leave to care for a new child, recover from a serious health condition, or support a loved one with serious illness. A recent report from the Roux Institute at Northeastern showed that rural Mainers are far less likely to have access to paid leave through their employer. That’s unacceptable, and soon, access to the time to care for yourself or your family won’t depend on where you live or what you do.
This program isn’t just about workers: it’s also about the businesses doing their best to attract and retain talent, and turn a profit. Here in Bangor and across Maine, small business owners want to do right by their employees, but can’t afford to offer private paid leave on their own. Now, they won’t have to. Paid leave creates fairer workplaces, lowers employee turnover, and promotes a stronger, more reliable workforce.
As the effects of the federal Republican tax cut and spending bill just passed start to take hold — one that proudly slashes health care access, caregiving infrastructure, and likely raises the cost of living — it will grow only more important that Maine build infrastructure for the economic security of Mainers. Right now, one in four moms returns to work within two weeks of having a baby, and one in five older workers retires early to care for a loved one. Those stats show a system that’s failing people, and Maine is stepping up to fix it before it gets worse.
Maine’s paid family medical leave law isn’t just a policy win. It’s a reflection of who we are as Mainers. We look out for one another. We believe that caring for your family or your health shouldn’t come at the cost of your job or your paycheck. There’s still important work ahead before benefits launch in 2026. But we’re on the right track, with thoughtful implementation and a deep commitment to Maine values. Together, we can make sure every Mainer has the support they need when it matters most.
