An Act To Improve Workplace Safety
Maine Legislature, Session 122, LD 1699
Committee Amendment CA_A_H828 (House)

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT ,~" to H.P. 1206, L.D. 1699, Bill, "An Act To 
Improve Workplace Safety " 
Amend the bill by striking out the title and substituting the following: 
'Resolve, To Direct the Department of Labor To Coordinate a Task Force To 
Examine and Study Issues Relating to Workplace Safety and Workplace 
Violence' 
Further amend the bill by striking out everything after the title and inserting in its 
place the following: 
'Sec. 1. Coordination of task force. Resolved: That the Department of Labor 
shall coordinate a task force to examine and study workplace safety and workplace 
violence. Membership in the task force must be composed of a member of the family of a 
workplace violence victim and one representative from each of the following: 
1. The State Police; 
2. The Maine Sheriffs' Association; 
3. The Maine Women's Lobby; 
4. The Maine Coalition to End Domestic Violence; 
5. The Maine Coalition Against Sexual Assault; 
6. The Maine Merchants' Association; 
7. The New England Convenience Store Association; 
8. The Maine Restaurant Association; and 
9. The Maine AFL-CIO; and be it further 
Sec. 2. Task force study. Resolved: That the task force under section 1, 
assisted by the Department of Labor, shall study issues relating to the workplace in order 
to improve safety and reduce workplace violence. As part of its study, the task force shall 
review the laws and policies of other states and the Federal Government and any reports 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
~~,/~~ 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "A, to H.P. 1206, L.D. 1699 
or analyses regarding the effectiveness of laws and policies in other jurisdictions. The 
study must include an examination of the following issues and any other issues the 
department or a member of the task force determines appropriate: 
1. The adequacy of current laws and standards that address workplace safety and 
workplace violence and the need for, or benefit of, developing a comprehensive policy on 
violence in the workplace that consolidates and supplements existing provisions of law in 
order to improve safety and reduce violence in the workplace; 
2. The need for, or benefit of, requiring the use of "panic buttons" or other security 
systems in businesses open beyond regular business hours; 
3. The need for, or benefit of, requiring the posting of laws and policies relating to 
workplace safety and workplace violence in all places of employment; and 
4. The need for, or benefit of, requiring notification to employees of laws and 
policies relating to workplace safety and workplace violence and education and training 
regarding workplace safety and workplace violence for all employees, particularly new 
employees, and management; and be it further 
Sec. 3. Report. Resolved: That the task force under section 1, assisted by the 
Department of Labor, shall submit a report to the joint standing committee of the 
Legislature having jurisdiction over labor matters by January 15, 2007 regarding the 
study conducted pursuant to this resolve. 
The report must include findings, 
recommendations and any proposed implementing legislation. 
The joint standing 
committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over labor matters may report out 
legislation relating to the subject matter of the study to the First Regular Session of the 
123rd Legislature.' 
SUMMARY 
This amendment strikes the bill and replaces it with a resolve. The amendment 
requires the Department of Labor to coordinate a task force to conduct a study of issues 
relating to the workplace for the purpose of making recommendations for legislation to 
improve workplace safety and reduce workplace violence. The amendment defines the 
membership of the task force and requires it to submit a report to the joint standing 
committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over labor matters with its findings, 
recommendations and any proposed implementing legislation. 
HSC\.L .\ U T L l·n·.l.! \ l \{ f.l) 
(See attached) 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
Fiscal Detail and Notes 
Approved: 03110/06 ~ae 
LD 1699 
LR2540(02) 
An Act To Improve Workplace Safety 
Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment "A" 
Committee: Labor 
Fiscal Note Required: Yes 
Fiscal Note 
Minor cost increase - General Fund 
Additional costs to the Department of Labor to coordinate and assist the task force in conducting the required study 
and issuing the required report can be absorbed utilizing existing budgeted resources. 
LR2540(2) - Fiscal Note - Page 1 of 1