Labor & Employment (Unemployment)

This bill (LD 797) changes Maine's unemployment benefit rules to require individuals receiving benefits to actively seek work three times weekly, with no exception for the Commissioner of Labor to waive this requirement. It specifies acceptable work search activities (e.g., submitting resumes, attending job fairs, completing job applications) and mandates weekly documentation of these efforts via an online portal or paper form by Friday. The Department of Labor must verify these reports and conduct random audits of 10% of submissions. Additionally, the bill eliminates the previous provision allowing benefits for "temporary unemployment," meaning individuals must meet the active job search requirement to qualify for benefits.