CHAPTER 159
H.P. 675 - L.D. 918
An Act Concerning the Provision of Information and Services to Businesses and Workers in Response to Certain Events
Emergency preamble. Whereas, Acts of the Legislature do not become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and
Whereas, this legislation needs to take effect before the expiration of the 90-day period in order to ensure the most efficient and effective response possible by the State to the events in the Katahdin region regarding the Great Northern Paper, Inc. paper mills; and
Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, therefore,
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 5 MRSA §13056, sub-§5, ¶C, as enacted by PL 1987, c. 534, Pt. A, §§17 and 19, is amended to read:
C. Market the State of Maine and its communities as suitable areas for business development; and
Sec. 2. 5 MRSA §13056, sub-§6, ¶B, as enacted by PL 1987, c. 534, Pt. A, §§17 and 19, is amended to read:
B. Other community planning and development assistance programs of the State Planning Office; and
Sec. 3. 5 MRSA §13056, sub-§7, as enacted by PL 1987, c. 534, Pt. A, §§17 and 19, is amended to read:
7. Contract for services. When contracting for services, the department, to the maximum extent feasible, shall seek to use the State's private sector resources in conducting studies, providing services and preparing publications.; and
Sec. 4. 5 MRSA §13056, sub-§8 is enacted to read:
8. Lead agency for business assistance in response to certain events. Be the lead agency for the State to provide information and business assistance to employers and businesses as part of the State's response to an event that causes the Department of Labor to carry out rapid-response activities as described in 29 United States Code, Sections 2801 to 2872 (2002).
Sec. 5. Department of Labor to develop directory. The Department of Labor, within 90 days from the effective date of this Act, shall develop a directory of relevant and appropriate agencies and organizations whose resources could be beneficial to laid-off workers. The directory must be made available to employers and others involved in developing community responses to small or large events involving layoffs of workers.
Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this Act takes effect when approved.
Effective May 14, 2003.
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