Our Presentation:

On July 11, 2023, Governor Mills signed an historic budget that includes the creation of a paid family and medical leave program, making Maine the 13th state to establish one. Beginning in 2026, eligible workers in the private and public sector will have 12 weeks of paid time off available to them for family or medical reasons including illness, to care for a relative, or for the birth of a child.

Workers will be able to begin taking leave and receiving benefits on May 1, 2026 (subject to a potential short delay based on an actuarial study). Workers and employers will begin contributing to the program a year earlier, on January 1, 2025.

Our speakers will know about the program so far, who it will apply to, what the frequently asked questions are, and what we still are waiting to hear on.

Please bring your questions! If you have any questions you would like to submit in advance, please send them to Nate Moody (nmoody@lebelharriman.com).

Our Speakers:

Umberto Speranza, UNUM

Umberto Speranza is Assistant Vice President for Government Affairs at Unum, the nation's leading disability income insurer and Fortune 500 financial services provider. In this role, he engages with lawmakers and public officials at the state and federal level by advancing and defending the company’s legislative, regulatory and public policy agendas. He specializes in top public policy issues impacting the benefits industry such as Paid Family and Medical Leave, Long Term Care, Mental Health, and other key products and priorities.

Jack Bjorn, Esq., Eaton Peabody

Jack is an Associate in Eaton Peabody’s Employee Benefits and Labor & Employment Practice Groups based in Portland, Maine.

Jack counsels clients in all aspects of employee benefits, executive compensation, retirement benefit divisions, wage and hour issues, FMLA, employee discipline, discrimination, and labor negotiations. Jack’s work includes assisting employers with the operation and maintenance of both tax-qualified retirement plans and plans for tax-exempt and governmental entities, and Jack has an active practice preparing qualified domestic relations orders for individuals going through divorce.

Additionally, Jack regularly assists private and public employers, colleges, and universities with general employment compliance issues such as health regulatory policies and procedures, employee handbooks, paid family and medical leave, employment contracts, and other labor and employment issues.