Unemployment Insurance Rule Update Public Hearings

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Published March 27th, 2026

Detected March 27th, 2026

Summary

The Maine Department of Labor is holding public hearings on April 13-14, 2026, to gather input on proposed amendments to the rules governing Unemployment Insurance's Able and Available requirement and Employee Leasing Companies. These changes are necessitated by recent legislation (PL 235). Public comments are being accepted until April 24 and April 25, 2026, respectively.

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What changed

The Maine Department of Labor's Bureau of Unemployment Compensation is soliciting public input on proposed amendments to two key unemployment insurance rules: the 'Rule Governing the Able and Available requirement' and the 'Rule Governing Employee Leasing Companies.' These proposed changes are driven by recent legislation, Public Law 235, and aim to clarify statutory requirements and update rule components. Public hearings are scheduled for April 13 and April 14, 2026, in Augusta, Maine.

Employers and interested parties should review the proposed amendments and submit comments by the respective deadlines of April 24, 2026, for the Able and Available rule, and April 25, 2026, for the Employee Leasing Company rule. While these are public hearings for proposed changes, feedback is crucial for shaping the final regulations. Failure to provide input may result in rules that do not fully address industry concerns or operational realities.

What to do next

Review proposed amendments to the Able and Available requirement rule.
Review proposed amendments to the Employee Leasing Company rule.
Submit comments by April 24, 2026 (Able and Available) and April 25, 2026 (Employee Leasing Company).

Source document (simplified)

Unemployment Insurance Public Hearings April 13 & 14

March 27, 2026

Unemployment Insurance Public Hearings April 13 & 14

The Maine Department of Labor's Bureau of Unemployment Compensation has two upcoming public hearings and comment periods:

Maine Dept. of Labor to Hold Able and Available Rule Update Public Hearing on April 13th, 2026

The Maine Department of Labor's Bureau of Unemployment Compensation will be holding a public hearing as it develops proposed amendments to the Rule Governing the Able and Available requirement for Unemployment.

Changes to the rule are necessary in response to PL 235, An Act Regarding the Laws Relating to Unemployment Insurance. The public hearing is being held to solicit input from the public on statutory requirements that may need clarification and components of the rule that may need to be updated.

The public hearing will be held on Monday April 13 at 1 p.m. in The Frances Perkins Room at the Maine Department of Labor's central office, 45 Commerce Drive, Augusta.

If you require an accommodation to attend this session, please contact Suzan McKechnie at Suzan.C.McKechnie@maine.gov or 207-530-0171.

Comments can also be left online here: www.maine.gov/labor/rulemaking/

The comment period will end on Friday April 24 at 5p.m.

Maine Dept. of Labor to Hold Employee Leasing Company Rule Update Public Hearing on April 14th, 2026

The Maine Department of Labor's Bureau of Unemployment Compensation will be holding a public hearing as it develops proposed amendments to the Rule Governing Employee Leasing Companies.

The public hearing will be held on Tuesday April 14 at 2 p.m. in The Frances Perkins Room at the Maine Department of Labor's central office, 45 Commerce Drive, Augusta.

If you require an accommodation to attend this session, please contact Suzan McKechnie at Suzan.C.McKechnie@maine.gov or 207-530-0171.

Comments can also be left online here: www.maine.gov/labor/rulemaking/

The comment period will end on Friday April 25 at 5p.m.