The History of FMLA & Paid Family Leave in America
Federal job-protected leave has existed since 1993 — but paid leave in the US built up state by state, one program at a time, over the three decades since. Here's every milestone, in order.
States With a Paid Family Leave Program
from California's program in 2004 to Maryland's in 2027.
Full Timeline
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Federal · February 5, 1993
The Family and Medical Leave Act is signed into law
President Bill Clinton signs the FMLA (Public Law 103-3) — the first bill he signs as president. It creates the first federal right to unpaid, job-protected leave for a new child, a family member's serious health condition, or the employee's own serious health condition.
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Federal · August 5, 1993
FMLA takes effect
The law becomes enforceable, guaranteeing up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave per year for employees at covered employers (50+ employees) who meet the tenure test.
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State Program · July 1, 2004
California launches California Paid Family Leave
California becomes the 1st state with a paid family leave program, funded through a payroll-tax-funded benefit paying up to 90% of wages.
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Federal · January 28, 2008
FMLA expands to cover military families
The National Defense Authorization Act for FY2008 amends FMLA to add two new leave categories: "qualifying exigency" leave for families of National Guard and Reserve members called to active duty, and up to 26 weeks of "military caregiver" leave to care for a covered servicemember with a serious injury or illness.
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State Program · July 1, 2009
New Jersey launches New Jersey Family Leave Insurance
New Jersey becomes the 2nd state with a paid family leave program, funded through a payroll-tax-funded benefit paying up to 85% of wages.
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Federal · October 28, 2009
Military family leave expands further
The FY2010 NDAA extends qualifying exigency and military caregiver leave to families of the regular Armed Forces (not just Guard/Reserve) and to veterans undergoing treatment within 5 years of leaving service — still today's 26-week caregiver leave rule.
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State Program · January 1, 2014
Rhode Island launches Rhode Island Temporary Caregiver Insurance
Rhode Island becomes the 3rd state with a paid family leave program, funded through a payroll-tax-funded benefit paying up to 60% of wages.
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State Program · January 1, 2018
New York launches New York Paid Family Leave
New York becomes the 4th state with a paid family leave program, funded through a payroll-tax-funded benefit paying up to 67% of wages.
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State Program · January 1, 2020
Washington launches Washington Paid Family and Medical Leave
Washington becomes the 5th state with a paid family leave program, funded through a payroll-tax-funded benefit paying up to 90% of wages.
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State Program · January 1, 2021
Massachusetts launches Massachusetts PFML
Massachusetts becomes the 6th state with a paid family leave program, funded through a payroll-tax-funded benefit paying up to 80% of wages.
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State Program · January 1, 2022
Connecticut launches Connecticut Paid Leave
Connecticut becomes the 7th state with a paid family leave program, funded through a payroll-tax-funded benefit paying up to 95% of wages.
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State Program · September 3, 2023
Oregon launches Oregon Paid Leave
Oregon becomes the 8th state with a paid family leave program, funded through a payroll-tax-funded benefit paying up to 100% of wages.
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State Program · January 1, 2024
Colorado launches Colorado FAMLI
Colorado becomes the 9th state with a paid family leave program, funded through a payroll-tax-funded benefit paying up to 90% of wages.
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State Program · January 1, 2026
Delaware launches Delaware Paid Leave
Delaware becomes the 10th state with a paid family leave program, funded through a payroll-tax-funded benefit paying up to 80% of wages.
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State Program · January 1, 2026
Minnesota launches Minnesota Paid Leave
Minnesota becomes the 11th state with a paid family leave program, funded through a payroll-tax-funded benefit paying up to 90% of wages.
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State Program · May 1, 2026
Maine launches Maine Paid Family and Medical Leave
Maine becomes the 12th state with a paid family leave program, funded through a payroll-tax-funded benefit paying up to 90% of wages.
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State Program · January 1, 2027
Maryland launches Maryland FAMLI
Enacted, but not yet paying benefits: Delayed by Maryland HB 102 (2025): payroll contributions begin January 1, 2027, and benefit payments begin no earlier than January 1, 2027 (possibly as late as January 2028). Not yet collecting contributions or paying claims.
Why There's No Federal Paid Leave Yet
FMLA guarantees your job back — it doesn't guarantee a paycheck while you're gone. Every attempt to add a national paid-leave benefit on top of FMLA has stalled in Congress, which is why paid leave in the US has instead grown state-by-state: each of the 13 states above built its own payroll-tax-funded program independently, with different wage-replacement formulas, funding structures, and covered reasons for leave.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Federal FMLA guarantees job protection but not pay — leave under FMLA alone is unpaid. Paid family leave in the US exists only at the state level so far, in the 13 states with their own programs, plus a small number of employers who voluntarily offer paid parental leave.
California, effective July 1, 2004 — over a decade before most other states followed.
Two National Defense Authorization Acts (FY2008 and FY2010) added "qualifying exigency" leave and up to 26 weeks of "military caregiver" leave, responding to the strain on military families during the Iraq and Afghanistan deployments of the mid-to-late 2000s.
Several states have active legislative proposals, and the pace has accelerated: only 4 states had programs as of 2020, but 9 more had enacted one by 2026. This page reflects only enacted, verified programs — not proposed legislation.