<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".09" citation="COMAR 09.42.04.09" title_num="09" subtitle_num="42" chapter_num="04" heading="Coordination of Benefits.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>FMLA. An employee’s annual maximum duration of FAMLI leave may be reduced by the employee’s use of FMLA if:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The employee’s FMLA leave was also eligible for FAMLI;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The employer notified the employee of their potential eligibility for FAMLI when the employee took FMLA; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>The employee did not apply for FAMLI leave.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>Employer-Provided Leave.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Alternative FAMLI Purpose Leave (AFPL).</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>An employer may require an employee to use AFPL concurrently or in coordination with FAMLI provided the AFPL is:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>Specifically designed to fulfill a purpose of FAMLI;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>Paid;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iii)">
          <text>Not accrued;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iv)">
          <text>Not subject to repayment if the employee leaves their position;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(v)">
          <text>Not available for general purposes; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(vi)">
          <text>Available without a requirement to exhaust another form of leave.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>If an employer chooses to require an employee to use AFPL concurrently or in coordination with FAMLI leave, the employer shall provide advanced written notice to its employees of this requirement.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>When an employer requires concurrent or coordinated usage of AFPL and FAMLI and has satisfied the written notice requirement, and the employee declines to apply for FAMLI benefits, the employee’s FAMLI eligibility is reduced by the amount of AFPL time taken.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>If a recipient receives wage replacement from both FAMLI and AFPL concurrently, the FAMLI benefit is primary and the AFPL benefit may be used to supplement the recipient’s wage to equal no more than 100 percent of the recipient’s average weekly wage.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(e)">
        <text>An employer may deduct the full amount of time taken under both forms of leave from the recipient’s AFPL balance even if the recipient only received partial wage replacement from the AFPL.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(f)">
        <text>An employee’s decision to use AFPL concurrently or in coordination with FAMLI does not negate the job protection or retaliation provisions of Labor and Employment Article, §§8.3-706 and 904, Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>General Purpose Leave.</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Neither the employee nor the employer may require the substitution of general purpose leave for FAMLI leave.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>An employer and an employee may agree to have general purpose leave wages supplement FAMLI benefits, up to 100 percent of the employee’s average weekly wage.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>If general purpose leave is used to supplement FAMLI benefits, the employer may:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>Convert the dollar amount of the supplement into the corresponding number of employer-provided general purpose leave hours; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>Subtract those hours from the employee’s balance of accrued and unused employer-provided general purpose leave.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>Documentation of use of general purpose leave.</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>The use of employer-provided general purpose leave to supplement FAMLI benefits requires mutual agreement in writing between the employer and the employee.</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>If either the employer or the employee does not so mutually agree, employer-provided general purpose leave may not be used to supplement FAMLI benefits.</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iii)">
          <text>Any agreement under §B(2)(d)(ii) of this regulation shall be documented and retained by the employer.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(e)">
        <text>Mutual agreement between the employer and the employee is not necessary in order for an employee to use paid sick leave prior to receiving FAMLI leave benefits.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>Workers’ Compensation and Unemployment Benefits.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Under Labor and Employment Article, §8.3-702(e), Annotated Code of Maryland, an individual receiving Unemployment Insurance benefits from the State may not be eligible for FAMLI benefits.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Except in the case of benefits for a permanent partial disability, under Labor and Employment Article, §8.3-702(e), Annotated Code of Maryland, an individual receiving Workers’ Compensation wage replacement benefits may not be eligible for FAMLI benefits.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>