An Act Regarding the
Maine Legislature, Session 132, LD 0706
Committee Amendment CA_A_H379 (House)
Amends: 26 MRSA §1221-A, 32 MRSA §14055

COM.MITTEE AMENDMENT "A" to H.P. 445, L.D. 706, "An Act Regarding the 
Laws Relating to Unemployment Insurance" 
Amend the bill by striking out all of section 1. 
Amend the bill in section 12 in § 1192-A in subsection 2 in paragraph C in the blocked 
paragraph in the 3rd line (page 6, line 19 in L.D.) by inse1ting after the following: ."of" the 
following: ', or represented by,' 
Amend the bill in section 12 in §1192-A in subsection 2 in paragraph C in the blocked 
paragraph in the 3rd line (page 6, line 19 in L.D.) by inse1ting after the following: "labor 
union," the following: 'or is othervvise authorized to use the services of a bona fide union 
hiring hafl,' 
• 
Amend the bill in section 12 in § 1192-A in subsection 3 in paragraph C in the last 2 
lines (page 8, lines 16 and 17 in L.D.) by striking out the following: ''as long as the training 
is in accordance with rules adopted by the commissioner" 
Amend the bill in section 14 in subsection 2 in paragraph A in subparagraph (6) in the 
last line (page 13, line 13 in L.D.) by striking out the following: 
11timeframe
and inserting 
the following: 'time frame' 
Amend the bill in section 14 in subsection 2 in paragraph A by inse1ting at the end a 
new blocked paragraph to read: 
'The bureau may not withhold benefit payments pursuant to subparagraph (6) for 
claimants receiving benefit payments unless the bureau has credible evidence on the 
record that substantiates a reasonable basis for establishing an issue of potential fraud 
and withholding payment. If there is such evidence, the bureau shall issue timely notice 
to the claimant informing the claimant that benefit payments are withheld and include 
with that notice instructions for how the claimant may satisfy identity verification 
requirements and how to submit those documents to the bmeau. The notice must give 
a reasonable time frame for submitting documents and describe the consequences for 
failing to provide documentation, as well as the claimants' appeal and hearing rights. 
The bureau shall allow individuals a reasonable time frame to submit documents that 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
ROS 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT'.' A" to H.P. 445, L.D. 706 
comply with an identity verification request and provide a list of acceptable documents 
and alternatives. The bureau shall also allow multiple means by which a claimant may 
submit documents for identity verification. If the claimant fails to comply with the 
request for documents in the time frame allowed or the documents provided are 
insufficient or determined to be fraudulent, the bureau shall render a timely decision 
denying fmther benefits.' 
Amend the bill by striking out all of section 23 and insetting the following: 
'Sec. 23. 26 MRSA §1221-A, sub-§3, as enacted by PL 1991, c. 468, §3 and 
affected by §6, is amended to read: 
3. Reporting requirements. tte Until January 1, 2026, the employee leasing 
company shall report and pay all contributions under its state employer identification 
number, using its the employee leasing company's contribution rate. Beginning Janua1y 1, 
2026, the employee leasing company shall repo1t and pay all contributions under the client 
company's state employer identification number using the client company's contribution 
rate. The employee leasing company shall keep separate records and submit separate 
quarterly wage reports for each of its client companies to the bureau. 
Sec. 24. 32 MRSA §14055, sub-§3, as amended by PL 1995, c. 560, Pt. G, §18, is 
fmther amended to read: 
3. Unemployment insurance. An employee leasing company's responsibility for 
unemployment insurance is governed by Title 26, section 1221-A and as follows. 
A. During the term of the leasing arrangement, the employee leasing company is 
responsible for payment of unemployment contributions, penalties and interest due 
pursuant to Title 26, chapter 13 on wages paid to employees leased to client companies, 
except for compensation paid to sole proprietors of or partners in the client company. 
B. The employee leasing company shall report all unemployment contributions due 
under its state employer identification number, using its contribution rate. 
The 
employee leasing company shall keep separate records and submit separate qua1terly 
wage reports to the Bureau of Unemployment Compensation for each of its client 
companies.' 
Amend the bill by relettering or renumbering any nonconsecutive Patt letter or section 
number to read consecutively. 
SUMMARY 
This amendment makes the following changes to the bill. 
1. It removes the authorization of the Department of Labor, Bureau of Unemployment 
Compensation to use facial recognition software for identity verification purposes. 
2. It provides that, in addition to an individual who is a member of a bona fide labor 
union, an individual who is represented by a bona fide labor union or who is otherwise 
authorized to use the services of a bona fide union hiring hall, who maintains contact with 
that union and who uses and complies with the placement services of the union hiring hall 
in seeking work is considered to be actively seeking work for the purposes of the Maine 
Revised Statutes, Title 26, section 1192-A. 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
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COMMITfEE AMENDMENT "A" to H.P. 445, L.D. 706 
3. It removes the requirement that an individual enrolled in a training program under 
the Governor's Jobs Initiative Program, established in Title 26, section 2031, or the 
Competitive Skills Scholarship Program, established in Title 26, section 2033, qualifies for 
a waiver of eligibility requirements to collect unemployment benefits as long as the training 
is in accordance with rules adopted by the Commissioner of Labor. 
4. It also provides that the bureau may not withhold payment for claimants receiving 
benefits due to the claimant's failure to adequately respond to a written request for 
documentation to verify the claimant's identity unless the bureau has credible evidence that 
substantiates a reasonable basis for establishing an issue of potential fraud and withholding 
payment. If there is evidence, the bureau must issue timely notice to the claimant informing 
the claimant that benefit payments are withheld and instructions to the claimant on how the 
claimant may satisfy identity verification requirements and where to submit that 
documentation. The notice must include a reasonable time frame and the consequences for 
failing to provide that documentation. The bureau must allow individuals a reasonable time 
frame to submit documents that comply with an identity verification request. The bureau 
must also provide a list of acceptable documents and allow multiple methods to submit 
documents for identity verification. If the claimant fails to comply with the request for 
documents in the time frame provided by the bureau or if the documents are insufficient or 
determined to be fraudulent, the bureau must render a timely decision denying further 
benefits. 
5. It also provides that the changes made to the provision of law goveming employee 
leasing company reports and contributions begin Janua1y 1, 2026. It also makes a technical 
change in Title 32 referencing employee leasing companies. 
FISCAL NOTE REQUIRED 
(See attached) 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
Fiscal Detail and Notes 
Approved: 05/19/25 LRL 
LD706 
LR 140(02) 
An Act Regarding the Laws Relating to Unemployment Insurance 
Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment /j,• { J-{-17 9) 
· 
Committee: Labor 
Fiscal Note Required: Yes 
Fiscal Note 
Minor cost increase - General Fund 
Additional costs to. the Department of Labor to implement the changes in this legislation can be absorbed within. 
existing budgeted resources. 
LR0140(02) •· Fiscal Note - Page 1 of 1