Resolve, Directing the Department of Labor To Examine Policy and Programmatic Alternatives for the Establishment of a Wage Loss Insurance System To Provide Wage Security in the Event of Loss of Earnings

Sec. 1. Study to examine policy and programmatic alternatives for the establishment of a wage loss insurance system. Resolved: That the Department of Labor, in consultation with interested parties, shall study laws, policies and programs, including those in other jurisdictions, relating to the establishment of a wage loss insurance system. The study must include an examination of the following issues and any others the department or an interested party determines to be appropriate:

1. Data and information on Maine citizens who experience job losses or loss of wages and receive no unemployment benefits under the State's unemployment compensation and unemployment insurance laws;

2. The feasibility of creating a program parallel or supplementary to the unemployment insurance system that could extend benefits for a period of up to 2 years to those who experience loss of wages and do not receive unemployment benefits, including possible funding sources or mechanisms to provide such benefits and to pay for administrative costs; and

3. Special income stability issues facing nonprofit workers and others ineligible for inclusion in the unemployment insurance system; and be it further.

Sec. 2. Report. Resolved: That the Department of Labor, in consultation with interested parties, shall submit a report to the Joint Standing Committee on Labor by January 1, 2008 regarding the study under section 1. The report must include findings, recommendations and any proposed implementing legislation. The Joint Standing Committee on Labor may submit legislation relating to the subject matter of the study to the Second Regular Session of the 123rd Legislature; and be it further

Sec. 3. Funding. Resolved: That the Department of Labor shall seek outside funds from the Federal Government, nonprofit foundations or other appropriate public or private sources to fund the costs of the study. Contributions to support the study may not be accepted from any party having a pecuniary or other vested interest in the outcome of the matters being studied. To the extent that outside contributions are inadequate to pay for all costs of the study, the Department of Labor shall make every effort to complete the study and report within existing budgeted resources.

summary

This resolve requires the Department of Labor to conduct a study of the laws, policies and programs, including those in other jurisdictions, relating to the establishment of a wage loss insurance system. The department shall call upon interested parties in conducting its study and shall submit a report to the Joint Standing Committee on Labor with its findings, recommendations and any proposed implementing legislation.