Maine paid sick leave law

What it can be used for

Any reason, including illness, emergencies, sudden necessity or planned vacation. Source: maine.gov↗ (opens in a new tab)

Notice and documentation

Employers may require up to 4 weeks' notice for planned use. For illness, emergency or sudden need, employees notify as soon as practicable. Source: maine.gov↗ (opens in a new tab)

Who is not covered

Seasonal employment, H-2A workers, certain students (co-op, student nurses, school employees) and some multistate workers covered by another state's unemployment law. Source: maine.gov↗ (opens in a new tab)

Penalties

Penalties follow 26 M.R.S. § 53: fines up to $1,000 per violation, plus unpaid wages, an equal amount as damages, and interest. The Bureau of Labor Standards enforces. Source: legislature.maine.gov↗ (opens in a new tab) Source: legislature.maine.gov↗ (opens in a new tab)

Recent changes

Separate from earned paid leave, Maine's Paid Family and Medical Leave program began contributions on January 1, 2025, and benefits on May 1, 2026. Source: maine.gov↗ (opens in a new tab)

The law and where to check

The law: 26 M.R.S. § 637 (P.L. 2019, ch. 156) (opens in a new tab)

The agency: Maine Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Standards (opens in a new tab)

What federal law says

No federal law requires private employers to give paid sick leave. Federal contractors must give up to 7 days a year under Executive Order 13706. Source: U.S. Department of Labor↗ (opens in a new tab) Source: U.S. DOL — EO 13706↗ (opens in a new tab)

Paid sick leave checklist for Maine employers

A simple order of work, based on the rules above. It is not a legal checklist.

1. Check whether your business size is covered by the rule above.
2. Set up accrual in your payroll or HR system (or front-load the yearly amount).
3. Write a sick leave policy covering accrual, the cap, carryover, notice and documentation.
4. Show each employee's balance where your state requires it.
5. Check for city or county sick leave laws where your staff work.
6. Keep records of time earned and used.

More Maine employment law guides

• All Maine employment laws
• Maine final paycheck law
• Maine meal and rest break laws
• Maine overtime law
• Maine pay frequency law
• Maine vacation and PTO payout law
• Maine new hire reporting
• Maine at-will exceptions

Paid sick leave laws in other states

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Disclaimer: This guide provides general information based on publicly available official sources and is for information only. It is not legal, tax, payroll or employment-law advice and does not guarantee compliance with federal, state or local requirements. Rules can depend on your location, industry, contracts and other circumstances, and laws change. Always check the official source, the relevant government agency or a qualified professional before making a decision. MadyHR.ai accepts no responsibility for any action taken based on this page.

Last checked: October 19, 2026. Every rule and source link on this page was checked against the official government source on this date. Laws change, so always open the source link before you act.