CHAPTER 163

S.P. 485 - L.D. 1453

An Act To Allow for Immediate Unemployment Fact-finding

Interviews for Able and Availability Issues

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:

Sec. 1. 26 MRSA §1194, sub-§2, as amended by PL 1999, c. 464, §8, is further amended to read:

2. Determination. A representative designated by the commissioner, and in this chapter referred to as a deputy, shall promptly examine the first claim filed by a claimant in each benefit year and shall determine the weekly benefit amount and maximum benefit amount potentially payable to the claimant during that benefit year in accordance with section 1192, subsection 5.

The deputy shall promptly examine all subsequent claims filed and, on the basis of facts, shall determine whether or not that claim is valid with respect to sections 1192 and 1193, other than section 1192, subsection 5, or shall refer that claim or any question involved therein in the claim to the Division of Administrative Hearings or to the commission, which shall make a determination with respect thereto to the claim in accordance with the procedure described in subsection 3, except that in any case in which the payment or denial of benefits will be is subject to section 1193, subsection 4, the deputy shall promptly transmit a report with respect to that subsection to the Director of Unemployment Compensation upon the basis of which the director shall notify appropriate deputies as to the applicability of that subsection.

The deputy shall determine in accordance with section 1221, subsection 3, paragraph A, the proper employer's experience