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Bill > LD1587
ME LD1587
ME LD1587An Act to Establish Greater Alignment of Penalties for Certain Labor Law Violations
summary
Introduced
04/10/2025
04/10/2025
In Committee
04/10/2025
04/10/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
132nd Legislature
Bill Summary
This bill codifies into the Maine Revised Statutes provisions of the federal Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 and creates a criminal penalty for any person who intentionally or knowingly violates the employment practices laws or the laws governing preference to Maine works and contractors. A person convicted of a willful violation is subject to a fine of not more than $10,000 or to imprisonment of not more than 6 months, or both, except that a person may not be imprisoned unless that person has been previously found guilty of willfully violating these laws. The Director of Labor Standards within the Department of Labor may refer these violations to the Attorney General for prosecution. The Attorney General must respond to the director within 30 days of receiving the referral, indicating whether the Attorney General will prosecute the case. If the Attorney General declines to prosecute, the Attorney General must provide to the director the reasons for the denial. This bill also requires that any information related to these willful violations must be included in the department's annual report, including any fines sought or collected by the department, the number of referrals made by the director and the number of referrals declined by the Attorney General, including the reasons for the denials.
AI Summary
This bill establishes new criminal penalties for intentional or knowing violations of certain labor laws in Maine, specifically those related to employment practices and preferences for Maine workers and contractors. Under the bill, such violations would be considered a Class E crime, with potential fines up to $10,000, though first-time offenders would not face imprisonment. The bill gives the Director of Labor Standards the authority to investigate potential violations and refer them to the Attorney General for prosecution. The Attorney General must respond within 30 days, either committing to prosecute or explaining why prosecution will not proceed. Additionally, the bill requires the Department of Labor to include detailed information about these referrals in its annual report, such as the number of referrals made, fines sought or collected, and reasons for any declined prosecutions. This legislation aims to strengthen enforcement of labor laws by creating clearer consequences for willful violations and increasing transparency in the enforcement process.
Committee Categories
Labor and Employment
Sponsors (10)
Matthew Beck (D)*,
Mana Abdi (D),
Anne Carney (D),
Deqa Dhalac (D),
Sean Faircloth (D),
Ryan Fecteau (D),
Rafael Macias (D),
Marc Malon (D),
Amy Roeder (D),
Eleanor Sato (D),
Last Action
Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH. (on 02/24/2026)
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/display_ps.asp?LD=1587&snum=132 |
| BillText | https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/getPDF.asp?paper=HP1045&item=1&snum=132 |
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