Bill > LD66

This bill expands access to the Maine Wage Assurance Fund by increasing the maximum number of weeks of unpaid wages workers can receive from 2 to 4 weeks and adding the ability to recover liquidated damages. Currently, the fund helps workers receive payment when their employer has gone out of business or filed for bankruptcy, with a maximum fund limit of $200,000. The bill modifies existing law to allow workers to claim not only unpaid wages but also liquidated damages (which are equal to the amount of unpaid wages) through this fund. The Bureau of Labor Standards will continue to administer the fund, and the state retains the right to be subrogated to any claims against the employer for the amount paid out. The bill clarifies that officers, directors, partners, and owners are not considered employees for the purposes of this fund. The language updates also modernize some legal terminology, such as changing "shall" to "must" and "regulations promulgated" to "rules adopted" throughout the text.

Labor and Employment

https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/display_ps.asp?LD=66&snum=132