Sec. 1. 26 MRSA §1192, sub-§3, ķA, as enacted by PL 2003, c. 458, §1, is amended to read:

A. Notwithstanding this subsection, beginning January 1, 2004, an individual who is not available for full-time work as required in this subsection is not disqualified from receiving benefits if:

(1) The individual worked less than full time for a majority of the weeks during that individual's base period and the individual is able and available for and actively seeking part-time work for at least the number of hours in a week comparable to those customarily worked in part-time employment during that individual's base period; or

(2) The individual worked full time for a majority of the weeks during that individual's base period, but is able and available for and actively seeking only part- time work because of the illness or disability of an immediate family member or because of limitations necessary for the safety or protection of the individual or individual's immediate family member.

This paragraph does not apply to a person who applies for benefits after September 30, 2005. This paragraph continues to apply to a person who applies for benefits on or before September 30, 2005 until that person has exhausted benefits payable under that application.

SUMMARY

This bill removes the sunset on the expansion of unemployment benefit eligibility to workers who have a primary history of part-time work, who are laid off and are only able and available for comparable part-time work. The language expanding those benefits took effect on January 1, 2004 and is scheduled to sunset on September 30, 2005 unless legislation is passed to make the program permanent.