reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
26 ME Rev Stat § 622 (2021)
2021 Maine Revised Statutes|TITLE 26: LABOR AND INDUSTRY|Chapter 7: EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES|Subchapter 2: WAGES AND MEDIUM OF PAYMENT|26 §622. Records

 §622. Records Every employer shall keep a true record showing the date and amount paid to each employee pursuant to section 621‑A. Every employer shall keep a daily record of the time worked by each such employee unless the employee is paid a salary that is fixed without regard for the number of hours worked. Records required to be kept by this section must be accessible to any representative of the department at any reasonable hour. Sections 621-A to 623 do not excuse any employer subject to section 774 from keeping the records required by that section.   [PL 2017, c. 219, §10 (AMD).]SECTION HISTORY PL 1975, c. 113, §1 (AMD). PL 1999, c. 465, §3 (RPR). PL 2017, c. 219, §10 (AMD).
26 ME Rev Stat § 623 (2021)
2021 Maine Revised Statutes|TITLE 26: LABOR AND INDUSTRY|Chapter 7: EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES|Subchapter 2: WAGES AND MEDIUM OF PAYMENT|26 §623. Exemptions

 §623. Exemptions This section and sections 621-A and 622 do not apply to family members and salaried employees as defined in section 663, subsection 3, paragraphs J and K. Sections 621-A and 622 do not apply to an employee of a cooperative corporation or association if the employee is a stockholder of the corporation or association, unless the employee requests the association or corporation to pay that employee in accordance with section 621‑A. Except as provided in section 621‑A, subsections 3, 4 and 5, a corporation, contractor, person or partnership may not by a special contract with an employee or by any other means exempt itself from this section and sections 621-A and 622.   [PL 2005, c. 18, §2 (AMD).]SECTION HISTORY PL 1973, c. 40 (AMD). PL 1975, c. 113, §2 (AMD). PL 1999, c. 465, §4 (AMD). PL 1999, c. 790, §P2 (AMD). PL 1999, c. 790, §P3 (AFF). PL 2005, c. 18, §2 (AMD).
26 ME Rev Stat § 624 (2021)
2021 Maine Revised Statutes|TITLE 26: LABOR AND INDUSTRY|Chapter 7: EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES|Subchapter 2: WAGES AND MEDIUM OF PAYMENT|26 §624. Penalties (REPEALED)

 §624. Penalties (REPEALED)SECTION HISTORY PL 1975, c. 113, §3 (RP).
26 ME Rev Stat § 625 (2021)
2021 Maine Revised Statutes|TITLE 26: LABOR AND INDUSTRY|Chapter 7: EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES|Subchapter 2: WAGES AND MEDIUM OF PAYMENT|26 §625. Notice of intention to quit

 §625. Notice of intention to quit Any person, firm or corporation engaged in any manufacturing or mechanical business may contract with adult or minor employees to give one week's notice of intention on such employee's part to quit such employment under a penalty of forfeiture of one week's wages. In such case, the employer shall be required to give a like notice of intention to discharge the employee, and on failure, shall pay to such employee a sum equal to one week's wages. No such forfeiture shall be enforced when the leaving or discharge of the employee is for a reasonable cause. The enforcement of the penalty shall not prevent either party from recovering damages for a breach of the contract of hire.   SECTION HISTORY PL 1971, c. 452 (AMD). PL 1973, c. 545 (AMD). PL 1975, c. 512, §§1,2 (AMD).
26 ME Rev Stat § 625-A (2021)
2021 Maine Revised Statutes|TITLE 26: LABOR AND INDUSTRY|Chapter 7: EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES|Subchapter 2: WAGES AND MEDIUM OF PAYMENT|26 §625-A. Severance pay (REPEALED)

 §625-A. Severance pay (REPEALED)SECTION HISTORY PL 1975, c. 512, §3 (NEW). PL 1975, c. 717, §4 (AMD). PL 1979, c. 663, §156 (RP).
26 ME Rev Stat § 626-A (2021)
2021 Maine Revised Statutes|TITLE 26: LABOR AND INDUSTRY|Chapter 7: EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES|Subchapter 2: WAGES AND MEDIUM OF PAYMENT|26 §626-A. Penalties

 §626-A. Penalties Whoever violates any of the provisions of section 600‑A, sections 621‑A to 623 or section 626, 628, 628‑A, 629 or 629‑B is subject to a forfeiture of not less than $100 nor more than $500 for each violation.   [PL 2021, c. 404, §2 (AMD).]Any employer is liable to the employee or employees for the amount of unpaid wages and health benefits. Upon a judgment being rendered in favor of any employee or employees, in any action brought to recover unpaid wages or health benefits under this subchapter, such judgment includes, in addition to the unpaid wages or health benefits adjudged to be due, a reasonable rate of interest, costs of suit including a reasonable attorney's fee, and an additional amount equal to twice the amount of unpaid wages as liquidated damages.   [PL 1993, c. 648, §1 (AMD).]Remedies for unpaid wages do not become available to the employee except as follows. If the wages are clearly due without a bona fide dispute, remedies are available to the employee 8 days after the due date for payment. If there is a bona fide dispute at the time payment is due, remedies become available to the employee 8 days after demand when the wages are, in fact, due and remain unpaid.   [PL 1999, c. 465, §5 (NEW).]The action for unpaid wages or health benefits may be brought by either the affected employee or employees or by the Department of Labor. The Department of Labor is further authorized to supervise the payment of the judgment, collect the judgment on behalf of the employee or employees and collect fines incurred through violation of this subchapter. When the Department of Labor brings an action for unpaid wages or health benefits, this action and an action to collect a civil forfeiture may both be joined in the same proceeding.   [PL 1993, c. 648, §1 (AMD).]SECTION HISTORY PL 1975, c. 113, §5 (NEW). PL 1975, c. 623, §37-C (AMD). PL 1975, c. 770, §114 (AMD). PL 1983, c. 652, §§2,3 (AMD). PL 1993, c. 648, §1 (AMD). PL 1999, c. 465, §5 (AMD). PL 2019, c. 35, §2 (AMD). PL 2021, c. 404, §2 (AMD).
26 ME Rev Stat § 626-B (2021)
2021 Maine Revised Statutes|TITLE 26: LABOR AND INDUSTRY|Chapter 7: EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES|Subchapter 2: WAGES AND MEDIUM OF PAYMENT|26 §626-B. Collective bargaining exceptions (REPEALED)

 §626-B. Collective bargaining exceptions (REPEALED)SECTION HISTORY PL 1975, c. 113, §5 (NEW). PL 1999, c. 465, §6 (RP).
26 ME Rev Stat § 627 (2021)
2021 Maine Revised Statutes|TITLE 26: LABOR AND INDUSTRY|Chapter 7: EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES|Subchapter 2: WAGES AND MEDIUM OF PAYMENT|26 §627. Assignment of wages

 §627. Assignment of wages No assignment of wages is valid against any other person than the parties thereto, unless such assignment is recorded by the clerk in the office of the Secretary of State. No such assignment of wages may be valid against the employer, unless he has actual notice thereof.   [PL 1987, c. 184, §24 (AMD).]An assignment of wages executed in satisfaction of a child support obligation shall have absolute priority over all previously filed orders against earnings entered pursuant to Title 14, section 3127‑B and former section 3137, and over any other assignment of wages, which orders and assignments were entered after July 24, 1984.   [PL 1987, c. 184, §24 (AMD).]SECTION HISTORY PL 1983, c. 782, §5 (AMD). PL 1987, c. 184, §24 (AMD).
26 ME Rev Stat § 628 (2021)
2021 Maine Revised Statutes|TITLE 26: LABOR AND INDUSTRY|Chapter 7: EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES|Subchapter 2: WAGES AND MEDIUM OF PAYMENT|26 §628. Equal pay

 §628. Equal pay An employer may not discriminate between employees in the same establishment on the basis of sex by paying wages to any employee in any occupation in this State at a rate less than the rate at which the employer pays any employee of the opposite sex for comparable work on jobs that have comparable requirements relating to skill, effort and responsibility. Differentials that are paid pursuant to established seniority systems or merit increase systems or difference in the shift or time of the day worked that do not discriminate on the basis of sex are not within this prohibition. An employer may not discharge or discriminate against any employee by reason of any action taken by such employee to invoke or assist in any manner the enforcement of this section. An employer may not prohibit an employee from disclosing the employee's own wages or from inquiring about or disclosing another employee's wages if the purpose of the disclosure or inquiry is to enforce the rights granted by this section. Nothing in this section creates an obligation to disclose wages.   [PL 2019, c. 35, §3 (AMD).]The Department of Labor shall annually report to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over labor matters on progress made in the State to comply with this section. The report must be issued annually on Equal Pay Day as designated pursuant to Title 1, section 145.   [PL 2003, c. 688, Pt. B, §7 (AMD).]SECTION HISTORY PL 1965, c. 150 (AMD). PL 1983, c. 652, §4 (AMD). PL 2001, c. 304, §2 (AMD). PL 2003, c. 688, §B7 (AMD). PL 2009, c. 29, §1 (AMD). PL 2019, c. 35, §3 (AMD).
26 ME Rev Stat § 628-A (2021)
2021 Maine Revised Statutes|TITLE 26: LABOR AND INDUSTRY|Chapter 7: EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES|Subchapter 2: WAGES AND MEDIUM OF PAYMENT|26 §628-A. Compensation history inquiry prohibited

 §628-A. Compensation history inquiry prohibited 1.  Legislative findings and intent.  The Legislature finds that despite requirements regarding equal pay having been a part of the laws of Maine since 1965, wage inequality is an ongoing issue in the State. Wage inequality causes substantial harm to the citizens and to the economy of the State. The Legislature finds that when employers base compensation decisions on compensation history of a prospective employee, it directly perpetuates this wage inequality. An employer's knowledge of a prospective employee's compensation history is directly related to the practice of basing compensation decisions on compensation history. It is the intent of the Legislature to promote the payment of equal compensation for comparable work on jobs that have comparable requirements relating to skill, effort and responsibility and to prevent unlawful employment discrimination with respect to compensation.   [PL 2019, c. 35, §4 (NEW).] 2.  Prohibition.  An employer may not use or inquire about the compensation history of a prospective employee from the prospective employee or a current or former employer of the prospective employee unless an offer of employment that includes all terms of compensation has been negotiated and made to the prospective employee, after which the employer may inquire about or confirm the prospective employee's compensation history.   [PL 2019, c. 35, §4 (NEW).] 3.  Exception.  This section does not apply to an employer who inquires about compensation history pursuant to any federal or state law that specifically requires the disclosure or verification of compensation history for employment purposes.   [PL 2019, c. 35, §4 (NEW).] 4.  Penalty.  This section may be enforced pursuant to section 626‑A. The civil action provided pursuant to section 626‑A may be brought to enforce this section by or on behalf of a person affected by a violation of subsection 2 or by the Department of Labor on behalf of a person affected by a violation of subsection 2, and the plaintiff or plaintiffs may also seek judgment for compensatory damages.   [PL 2019, c. 35, §4 (NEW).] SECTION HISTORY PL 2019, c. 35, §4 (NEW).
26 ME Rev Stat § 629 (2021)
2021 Maine Revised Statutes|TITLE 26: LABOR AND INDUSTRY|Chapter 7: EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES|Subchapter 2: WAGES AND MEDIUM OF PAYMENT|26 §629. Unfair agreements

 §629. Unfair agreements 1.  Work without compensation; return of compensation.  A person, firm or corporation may not require or permit any person as a condition of securing or retaining employment to work without monetary compensation or when having an agreement, oral, written or implied, that a part of such compensation should be returned to the person, firm or corporation for any reason other than for the payment of a loan, debt or advance made to the person, or for the payment of any merchandise purchased from the employer or for sick or accident benefits, or life or group insurance premiums, excluding compensation insurance, that an employee has agreed to pay, or for rent, light or water expense of a company-owned house or building. This section does not apply to work performed in agriculture or in or about a private home.   [PL 2007, c. 524, §1 (RPR).] 2.  Debt.  For purposes of this subchapter, "debt" means a benefit to the employee. "Debt" does not include items incurred by the employee in the course of the employee's work or dealing with customers on the employer's behalf, such as cash shortages, inventory shortages, dishonored checks, dishonored credit cards, damages to the employer's property in any form or any merchandise purchased by a customer. “Debt” does not include uniforms, personal protective equipment or other tools of the trade that are considered to be primarily for the benefit or convenience of the employer. As used in this subsection, “uniforms” means shirts or other items of clothing bearing the company name or logo. The employer may not mandate that an employee pay for the cleaning and maintenance of a uniform, but may have a written agreement whereby the employee chooses to have a payroll deduction for the cost of cleaning and maintenance.   [PL 2007, c. 524, §1 (RPR).] 3.  Penalty.  An employer is liable to an employee for the amount returned to the employer by that employee as prohibited in this section.   [PL 2007, c. 524, §1 (RPR).] 4.  Deduction of service fees.  Public employers may deduct service fees owed by an employee to a collective bargaining agent from the employee's pay, without signed authorization from the employee, and remit those fees to the bargaining agent, as long as:   A. The fee obligation arises from a lawfully executed and implemented collective bargaining agreement; and   [PL 2007, c. 524, §1 (RPR).]B. In the event a fee payor owes any arrears on the payor's fee obligations, the deduction authorized under this subsection may include an installment on a payment plan to reimburse all arrears, but may not exceed in each pay period 10% of the gross pay owed.   [PL 2007, c. 524, §1 (RPR).][PL 2007, c. 524, §1 (RPR).] SECTION HISTORY PL 1981, c. 285 (AMD). PL 1983, c. 652, §5 (AMD). PL 2007, c. 357, §1 (AMD). PL 2007, c. 415, §1 (RPR). PL 2007, c. 524, §1 (RPR).
26 ME Rev Stat § 629-A (2021)
2021 Maine Revised Statutes|TITLE 26: LABOR AND INDUSTRY|Chapter 7: EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES|Subchapter 2: WAGES AND MEDIUM OF PAYMENT|26 §629-A. Fringe benefits as wages

 §629-A. Fringe benefits as wages Whenever a person ceases to be employed because of the insolvency of his employer, if in claiming from the employer wages earned but not yet paid to him, the term "wages earned" shall include all fringe benefits earned by the employee that were considered in the employment contract, including plans for retirement, insurance, health care and vacations.   [PL 1977, c. 448 (NEW).]SECTION HISTORY PL 1977, c. 448 (NEW).
26 ME Rev Stat § 630 (2021)
2021 Maine Revised Statutes|TITLE 26: LABOR AND INDUSTRY|Chapter 7: EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES|Subchapter 2: WAGES AND MEDIUM OF PAYMENT|26 §630. Written statement of reason for termination of employment

 §630. Written statement of reason for termination of employment An employer shall, upon written request of the affected employee, give that employee the written reasons for the termination of that person's employment. An employer who fails to satisfy this request within 15 days of receiving it may be subject to a forfeiture of not less than $50 nor more than $500. An employee may bring an action in the District Court or the Superior Court for such equitable relief, including an injunction, as the court may consider to be necessary and proper. The employer may also be required to reimburse the employee for the costs of suit, including a reasonable attorney's fee if the employee receives a judgment in the employee's favor. This section does not apply to public employees in proceedings governed by Title 1, section 405.   [PL 1997, c. 356, §1 (AMD).]SECTION HISTORY PL 1975, c. 420 (NEW). PL 1979, c. 175 (AMD). PL 1997, c. 356, §1 (AMD).
26 ME Rev Stat § 632 (2021)
2021 Maine Revised Statutes|TITLE 26: LABOR AND INDUSTRY|Chapter 7: EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES|Subchapter 2: WAGES AND MEDIUM OF PAYMENT|26 §632. Fund for unpaid wages

 §632. Fund for unpaid wages 1.  Fund established.  There is established a Maine Wage Assurance Fund to be used by the Bureau of Labor Standards within the Department of Labor for the purpose of assuring that all former employees of employers within the State receive payment for wages for a maximum of 2 weeks for the work they have performed. The Legislature intends that payment of earned wages from the fund be limited to those cases when the employer has terminated his business and there are no assets of the employer from which earned wages may be paid, or when the employer has filed under any provision of the Federal Bankruptcy Act. No officer or director in the case of a corporation, no partner in the case of a partnership and no owner in the case of a sole proprietorship may be considered an employee for purposes of this section.   [PL 1983, c. 172 (AMD).] 2.  Administration.  The fund shall be administered by the Director of the Bureau of Labor Standards. Applications for payment from the fund and disbursements from the fund shall be in accordance with regulations promulgated by the director. The State shall be subrogated to any claims against an employer for unpaid wages by an employee who has received payment from the fund. Subrogation to these claims shall be to the extent of payment from the fund to the employee.   [PL 1989, c. 502, Pt. A, §107 (AMD).] 3.  Amount in fund.  The Maine Wage Assurance Fund is a nonlapsing, revolving fund limited to a maximum of $200,000. All money collected from an employer pursuant to a claim for unpaid wages by an employee who has received payment from the fund, or by the State as the employee's subrogee, is credited to the fund.   The fund must be established and augmented periodically as necessary.   Money in the fund not needed currently to meet claims against the fund must be deposited with the Treasurer of State to be credited to the fund and may be invested in such manner as is provided for by statute. Interest received on that investment must be credited to the Maine Wage Assurance Fund.   [PL 2009, c. 25, §1 (AMD).] Revisor's Note: §632. Information to be furnished to railroad employees (As enacted by PL 1979, c. 287 is REALLOCATED TO TITLE 26, SECTION 633)SECTION HISTORY PL 1979, c. 202, §1 (NEW). PL 1979, c. 287 (NEW). PL 1979, c. 663, §158 (RAL). PL 1983, c. 172 (AMD). PL 1989, c. 502, §A107 (AMD). PL 2009, c. 25, §1 (AMD).
26 ME Rev Stat § 633 (2021)
2021 Maine Revised Statutes|TITLE 26: LABOR AND INDUSTRY|Chapter 7: EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES|Subchapter 2: WAGES AND MEDIUM OF PAYMENT|26 §633. Information to be furnished to railroad employees (REALLOCATED FROM TITLE 26, SECTION 632)

 §633. Information to be furnished to railroad employees (REALLOCATED FROM TITLE 26, SECTION 632)1.  Wage statement.  Every railroad corporation in the State shall furnish each employee of that corporation with a statement with every payment of wages, listing accrued total earnings and taxes to date, and further furnish that employee at the same time with a separate listing of his daily wages and how they were computed.   [PL 1979, c. 663, §158 (RAL).] 2.  Coverage.  Only railroad employees who are operating personnel working on a train are covered under this section.   [PL 1979, c. 663, §158 (RAL).] 3.  Penalty.  Any person, firm or corporation violating this section commits a civil violation for which a forfeiture of not more than $100 may be adjudged for each offense.   [PL 1979, c. 663, §158 (RAL).] SECTION HISTORY PL 1979, c. 663, §158 (RAL).
26 ME Rev Stat § 634 (2021)
2021 Maine Revised Statutes|TITLE 26: LABOR AND INDUSTRY|Chapter 7: EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES|Subchapter 2: WAGES AND MEDIUM OF PAYMENT|26 §634. Continuation of health insurance coverage during strike; notice

 §634. Continuation of health insurance coverage during strike; notice 1.  Employer's duty.  During a strike, an employer may not cancel any policy of group health insurance issued pursuant to Title 24‑A, section 2804 until the employer has first notified insured members that the policy is to be canceled.   [PL 1981, c. 354 (NEW).] 2.  Notice.  The notice requirement contained in subsection 1 is satisfied if:   A. The employee actually receives the written notice;   [PL 1981, c. 354 (NEW).]B. The notice is mailed to the employee at an address which the employer reasonably believes is current;   [PL 1981, c. 354 (NEW).]C. The notice is delivered to the employee by the same means as and along with wages due the employee; or   [PL 1981, c. 354 (NEW).]D. Timely notice is given to the collective bargaining agent of the employee.   [PL 1981, c. 354 (NEW).][PL 1981, c. 354 (NEW).] SECTION HISTORY PL 1981, c. 354 (NEW).
26 ME Rev Stat § 638 (2021)
2021 Maine Revised Statutes|TITLE 26: LABOR AND INDUSTRY|Chapter 7: EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES|Subchapter 2: WAGES AND MEDIUM OF PAYMENT|26 §638. Leave for appointments for veterans (REALLOCATED FROM TITLE 26, SECTION 637)

 §638. Leave for appointments for veterans (REALLOCATED FROM TITLE 26, SECTION 637)1.  Definitions.  As used in this section, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings.   A. "Employer" means a public or private employer.   [PL 2019, c. 350, §1 (NEW); RR 2019, c. 1, Pt. A, §30 (RAL).]B. "Paid leave" has the same meaning as in section 636, subsection 1, paragraph C.   [PL 2019, c. 350, §1 (NEW); RR 2019, c. 1, Pt. A, §30 (RAL).]C. "Veteran" means an employee who is a veteran, as defined in section 877, subsection 3.   [PL 2019, c. 350, §1 (NEW); RR 2019, c. 1, Pt. A, §30 (RAL).][PL 2019, c. 350, §1 (NEW); RR 2019, c. 1, Pt. A, §30 (RAL).] 2.  Leave.  Pursuant to this subsection, an employer shall allow a veteran to take time away from work to attend a scheduled appointment at a medical facility operated by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, as long as the veteran gives the employer notice of the appointment as soon as reasonably possible.   A. If an employer provides paid leave, the employer shall allow a veteran to use available paid leave to attend a scheduled appointment at a medical facility operated by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. If a veteran has used all available paid leave, the employer shall grant unpaid leave to the veteran to attend the appointment.   [PL 2019, c. 350, §1 (NEW); RR 2019, c. 1, Pt. A, §30 (RAL).]B. If an employer does not provide paid leave, the employer shall grant unpaid leave to a veteran to attend a scheduled appointment at a medical facility operated by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.   [PL 2019, c. 350, §1 (NEW); RR 2019, c. 1, Pt. A, §30 (RAL).][PL 2019, c. 350, §1 (NEW); RR 2019, c. 1, Pt. A, §30 (RAL).] SECTION HISTORY PL 2019, c. 350, §1 (NEW). RR 2019, c. 1, Pt. A, §30 (RAL).
26 ME Rev Stat § 640 (2021)
2021 Maine Revised Statutes|TITLE 26: LABOR AND INDUSTRY|Chapter 7: EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES|Subchapter 2: WAGES AND MEDIUM OF PAYMENT|26 §640. Public employee voluntary payroll deductions for certain insurance

 §640. Public employee voluntary payroll deductions for certain insurance Upon a public employee's written request, a public employer may deduct voluntary payroll deductions designated in writing by the employee to the employer for disability insurance and life insurance offered in conjunction with the employee's membership in an employee organization recognized by the employer or designated by a collective bargaining agreement. The employee may rescind the authorization for the deductions by giving the employer 30 days' written notice.   [PL 2021, c. 102, §1 (NEW).]SECTION HISTORY PL 2021, c. 102, §1 (NEW).