An Act To Clarify Worker Payment for Clothing and Equipment

Sec. 1. 26 MRSA §629, 2nd ¶,  as enacted by PL 1981, c. 285, is amended to read:

For purposes of this subchapter, the word "debt" means a benefit to the employee. "Debt " does not include items incurred by the employee in the course of the employee's work or dealing with the customers on his the employer's behalf, such as cash shortages, inventory shortages, dishonored checks, dishonored credit cards, damages to the employer's property in any form or any merchandise purchased by a customer. The cost of uniforms and of their laundering, if the nature of the business requires the employee to wear a uniform, the cost of any construction by and for the employer, the cost of tools of the trade and other materials and services incidental to carrying on the employer's business and other costs of furnishing facilities primarily for the benefit or convenience of the employer may not be considered a "debt."