An Act To Modernize Data Collection and Reporting and Information Access for the Department of Labor
Maine Legislature, Session 128, LD 1500
Committee: Labor, Commerce, Research and Economic Development
Sponsors: VOLK, VACHON, LANGLEY, AUSTIN, BATES, FECTEAU, LOCKMAN, MASTRACCIO, STETKIS
Amends: 26 MRSA §1401-B, 26 MRSA §2173

Legislative Document
No. 1500
S.P. 525
In Senate, April 20, 2017
An Act To Modernize Data Collection and Reporting and 
Information Access for the Department of Labor
Submitted by the Department of Labor pursuant to Joint Rule 204.
Reference to the Committee on Labor, Commerce, Research and Economic Development 
suggested and ordered printed.
HEATHER J.R. PRIEST
Secretary of the Senate
Presented by Senator VOLK of Cumberland.
Cosponsored by Representative VACHON of Scarborough and
Senator: LANGLEY of Hancock, Representatives: AUSTIN of Gray, BATES of Westbrook, 
FECTEAU of Biddeford, LOCKMAN of Amherst, MASTRACCIO of Sanford, STETKIS of 
Canaan.
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows: 
Sec. 1.  26 MRSA §1401-B, sub-§1, ¶B, as repealed and replaced by PL 2013, c. 
467, §5, is amended to read: 
B.  The commissioner shall appoint to serve at the commissioner's pleasure: 
(1)  Deputy Commissioner; 
(2)  Director of Legislative Affairs; 
(3)  Director of Operations; 
(4)   Director of Communications; 
(5)  Director, Bureau of Labor Standards; 
(6)  Director, Bureau of Employment Services; and 
(7)  Director, Bureau of Rehabilitation Services.; and 
(8)  Director, Bureau of Unemployment Compensation. 
Sec. 2.  26 MRSA §1401-B, sub-§4, as enacted by PL 1995, c. 560, Pt. G, §15, is 
repealed. 
Sec. 3.  26 MRSA §1401-B, sub-§6, as enacted by PL 1997, c. 393, Pt. A, §30 
and amended by c. 526, §14, is repealed. 
Sec. 4.  26 MRSA §1401-B, sub-§§7 and 8 are enacted to read: 
7.  Data collection and reporting.  The commissioner, in partnership with the 
United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics and other appropriate 
federal and state agencies, shall collect and make publicly available, including in 
electronic formats, data related to employment and unemployment in the State, including 
labor force participation, occupations, industries and demographics, employment 
outcomes of training programs and other information relating to the programs under the 
department's jurisdiction, including a longitudinal workforce data system.  The collection 
and publication of data under this subsection must be funded by the federal Bureau of 
Labor Statistics and other federal and state agencies. 
8.  Availability of employment law information.  The commissioner shall make 
available information on employment laws applicable to both workers and employers in 
accessible formats, including electronic formats, and provide access to such information 
to all individuals enrolled in the department's programs. 
Sec. 5.  26 MRSA c. 25, sub-c. 3, as amended, is repealed. 
Sec. 6.  26 MRSA §2173, as enacted by PL 1989, c. 408, §3 and amended by PL 
2003, c. 114, §§24 and 25, is repealed. 
SUMMARY 
This bill conforms the laws identifying the responsibilities of the Commissioner of 
Labor relating to the collection and use of data with the Department of Labor's current 
practices of collecting and publishing data and allows for this information as well as 
information on labor laws to be made available in various formats, including in electronic 
formats.  The bill adds the Director of the Bureau of Unemployment Compensation to the 
list of employees who are appointed by the Commissioner of Labor and who serve at the 
commissioner's pleasure. The bill repeals sections of law regarding the availability of 
information to trainees.  The bill also repeals the Nontraditional Occupation Act.