If your organization has employees working in Maryland, it's time to move from learning about the Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FAMLI) program to preparing for compliance.
While employee benefits under FAMLI won't become available until January 1, 2028, employers have important administrative and planning responsibilities that begin much sooner. One of the first is registering with the state's FAMLI portal.
The good news? Registration is relatively straightforward when you understand what's required, who can register on behalf of your organization and what information you'll need to gather before getting started.
Employers with at least one employee working in Maryland are required to register through the Maryland FAMLI portal now, ahead of the January 1, 2027 contribution start date.
This includes:
Maryland-based businesses
Organizations headquartered outside Maryland with Maryland employees
Household employers
An owner who is also the business’s only employee is treated as self-employed for FAMLI purposes, including an owner of an S corporation, and is not required to register as an employer.
Even if you're still evaluating whether you'll participate in the state plan or pursue a private plan, registration is an important first step.
Waiting until contribution requirements take effect could leave employers scrambling to understand the system, assign roles and prepare internal processes. Taking action now allows organizations to approach implementation more strategically.
It's easy to look at the January 2028 benefits start date and assume there's plenty of time.
However, several important milestones come before then. Registration serves as the foundation for future reporting, contribution remittance and ongoing administration under the program.
Beginning in 2027, employers will be responsible for arranging employee contributions, remitting required payments or holding them in escrow under an accepted Declaration of Intent (DOI), and submitting wage and hour reports. Completing registration now helps ensure your organization has access to the system and can begin preparing for future requirements.
For employers considering a private plan option, early registration and planning are especially important as the November 15, 2026 DOI deadline approaches for employers seeking to hold 2027 contributions in escrow instead of remitting them to the state.
One of the most common questions employers have is who should register on behalf of the organization.
The registration process must be completed by an Authorized Officer.
An Authorized Officer is an individual with legal authority to act on behalf of the organization. Depending on your company's structure, this may include:
Owners
Corporate officers
Partners
Managing members
Other individuals with authority to bind the organization
Once registration is complete, Authorized Officers can grant access to additional users and third-party representatives as needed.
Many employers work with payroll providers, benefits consultants, insurance brokers or other advisors to help manage compliance obligations.
Under FAMLI, employers can authorize third-party representatives to access information and assist with certain administrative functions. A Power of Attorney signed by an Authorized Officer is required to connect TPAs to an employer’s account.
However, those individuals cannot complete the initial employer registration process on the organization's behalf. That's why it's important for an Authorized Officer to establish the account first and then assign appropriate permissions afterward.
Before starting registration, collect the information you'll need for your organization.
Gathering the necessary information before you begin can help streamline registration and reduce delays.
You will need:
Legal business name and “doing business as” (d/b/a) name
Employer Identification Number (EIN)
Business address
Mailing address (if different)
Business contact information, including a business email address separate from the Authorized Officer’s
Be prepared to provide:
Full legal name
Contact information
Job title
Verification of authority to act on behalf of the organization
Have your resident agent’s name, physical address, email address and phone number available. Household employers without a resident agent may list themselves; an LLC cannot serve as its own resident agent.
The registration process is relatively straightforward, particularly if you've gathered the required information in advance. Maryland has also published a registration tutorial video that walks employers through the process step by step.
While the exact screens may change over time, employers can generally expect to complete the following steps:
Maryland uses Login.gov to provide secure access to the FAMLI portal. If you don't already have an account, you'll need to create one and complete the identity verification process before proceeding with registration.
Before getting started, have your Social Security number and driver's license or state ID card available. You'll also want to use an email address you control when creating your Login.gov account. If you need assistance with identity verification or do not have the required technology, contact the Maryland FAMLI Customer Care Team at 410-525-4010.
After signing in, you'll be prompted to enter basic employer information, including your business name, EIN, contact information and other identifying details. Having this information readily available can help streamline the process.
Register under the correct account type. If you are a TPA, register as a TPA. If you also have Maryland employees, you can create a dual-registered profile. Keep in mind that registration types cannot be changed once selected.
The individual completing registration must verify that they have authority to act on behalf of the organization. Employers should ensure the appropriate person completes this step to avoid delays or future account access issues.
Before submitting your registration, carefully review all information for accuracy. Taking a few extra minutes during this step can help prevent issues that may require corrections later.
Once registration is complete, employers can begin managing important FAMLI-related tasks through the portal, including:
Need a detailed registration walkthrough? Maryland's employer registration video and step-by-step resources provide additional guidance on creating a Login.gov account, entering employer information and completing registration. Employers can access these resources through the Maryland FAMLI website.
As employers begin navigating FAMLI registration, here are a few common mistakes to avoid.
Registration may be straightforward, but delays can happen if required information is missing or internal approvals are needed.
Not every employee has authority to register the organization. Make sure the appropriate Authorized Officer is involved from the beginning.
Think ahead about who within your organization will need access to the FAMLI account, including HR personnel, payroll team members and outside advisors.
Keep a record of account details, confirmations and registration information for future reference.
The Maryland Department of Labor has developed several resources to help employers navigate the FAMLI program, including:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Employer guides
Educational webinars
Registration tutorials
Program updates and announcements
For employers new to FAMLI, the state's webinars and FAQs can be especially valuable. These resources address many of the most common questions surrounding registration, contribution requirements, reporting obligations and implementation timelines. As additional guidance becomes available, employers should regularly review these materials to stay informed and avoid last-minute compliance challenges.
While these resources are a great starting point, every organization's circumstances are different. Employers should also consider how FAMLI may interact with their existing leave policies, payroll processes, benefits programs and workforce planning strategies.
Registration is only one piece of FAMLI preparation.
Employers should also begin evaluating:
State plan versus private plan options
Payroll withholding processes
Employee communication strategies
Budgeting for employer contributions
Coordination with existing leave policies and benefits programs
Taking these steps now can help avoid last-minute compliance challenges as additional implementation deadlines approach.
As Maryland continues moving toward implementation, employers should stay informed and proactive. Taking the time to register and prepare now can make future compliance requirements significantly easier to manage.
For many employers, the biggest challenge isn't registration itself. It's understanding how FAMLI impacts payroll, benefits administration, employee communications and overall workforce planning.
Gross Mendelsohn's FAMLI resource, Karen Hess, works with employers to understand compliance requirements, evaluate state and private plan options, and prepare for upcoming implementation deadlines.
If you have questions about registration, contribution requirements, reporting obligations or private plan considerations, we're here to help. Contact Karen here or call 800.899.4623.