Department of Labor to hold listening sessions on paid time off rulemaking

The Maine Department of Labor (MDOL) is preparing for the required rulemaking process for LD 369, An Act Authorizing Earned Employee Leave, often referred to as the “earned paid time off” bill. The Legislature enacted the bill on May 16, and Governor Janet Mills signed it on May 28 of this year; the law goes into effect on January 1, 2021. 

As part of the process, MDOL will hold a series of public listening sessions throughout the state to hear feedback from the public on what questions they would like addressed during the rulemaking process. The Maine Department of Labor has announced six additional locations and times for earned paid leave listening sessions around the state:

• ŸLewiston CareerCenter: Monday, October 28 at 5:30 p.m. (5 Mollison Way, Lewiston);
  
• ŸRockland CareerCenter: Wednesday, November 6 at 5:30 p.m. (91 Camden St., Suite 201, Rockland);
  
• ŸSpringvale CareerCenter: Thursday, November 14 at 5:30 p.m. (9 Bodwell Court, Springvale);
  
• Greater Portland CareerCenter: Monday, November 18 at 5:30 p.m. (151 Jetport Boulevard, Portland);
  
• Machias CareerCenter: Wednesday, November 20 at 9:00 a.m. (53 Prescott Drive, Suite 1, Machias); and,
  
• Bangor CareerCenter: Wednesday, November 20 at 5:30 p.m. (45 Oak St., Suite 3, Bangor).
  

 
 The sessions will run between an hour and an hour and a half.
      
“We are looking forward to working collaboratively with both employers and workers during the rulemaking process,” Laura Fortman, Commissioner of the Department of Labor, said. “We are committed to a thorough and open process. The effective date of January 1, 2021 provides time for us to work together on this important policy which will allow many Maine workers five days of earned paid leave.”
      
The legislation guarantees earned time off for employees who work for a business with 11 or more employees. Small businesses with 10 or fewer employees and seasonal employers who regularly operate less than 26 weeks in a calendar year are exempt.
      
The bill required the Maine Department of Labor to promulgate rules to ensure the legislation can be implemented and enforced appropriately. This process will include posting of the draft rules prior to a public comment period. The Department will ensure that final rules are posted with sufficient time for employers to prepare for changes, if any are needed, in their earned leave policies.
      
The law requires that an employee earn one hour of paid leave from a single employer for every 40 hours worked, up to 40 hours in one year of employment. This leave can be used for any purpose by the worker; however, they are required to give their employer as reasonable notice as is possible. The rules written will provide guidance to employers, as well as workers who benefit from the earned paid time off. The Maine Department of Labor will also provide new posters to employers outlining guidance for the rule.
             
If you would like to be updated during the process, please email bls.mdol@maine.gov and ask to be placed on the “Earned Paid Time Off rules mailing list.” The effective date of this law is January 1, 2021. A link to the chaptered law (Public Law 156) may be found at http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/getPDF.asp?paper=SP0110&item=4&snum=129. The Maine Department of Labor is an equal opportunity provider. Auxiliary aids and services are available to individuals with disabilities upon request.