S.P. 594 - L.D. 1718
An Act to Ensure that Displaced Workers Have Access to Appropriate Job Training, Education and Employment Services through a Peer Support Program
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 26 MRSA c. 26-A is enacted to read:
CHAPTER 26-A
PEER SUPPORT PROGRAM FOR DISPLACED WORKERS
The Peer Support Program for Displaced Workers is created within the department to provide advocacy and information for workers displaced by significant layoffs. The program may initiate one or more projects to assist employees as provided in this chapter and as resources permit. The department is authorized to use any available resources or to apply for federal grants to implement this chapter. Any funds appropriated by the Legislature for a pilot program or this program may not lapse but must be carried forward.
1. Initiation of project. When 100 or more employees of a single employer are laid off, the department shall initiate a peer support project to assist the affected employees. The department may initiate a project when 50 or more employees are laid off if the bureau determines that a peer support project is warranted, after considering the particular needs of the affected workforce and the affected communities.
2. Employment and role of peer support workers. For each project, the department shall employ one or more peer support workers who must be displaced nonmanagerial employees from the affected workforce. The department shall attempt in all cases to hire one peer support worker for each 50 affected employees and to hire at least 2 peer support workers for each project. A peer support worker shall serve as a worker advocate and an information source connecting the affected workers and the State's workforce development programs. The peer support worker shall use the resources of local employment assistance programs as well as state programs. The department shall collaborate with employee representatives in hiring and overseeing peer support workers. The department shall ensure that peer support workers have an opportunity to receive training and to work as a team even if they are geographically dispersed.
3. Duration of project. The department shall determine the duration of each project, taking into consideration the size, scope and nature of the layoff and the period of time over which the layoffs occur.
Sec. 2. Report. The Department of Labor shall report to the Joint Standing Committee on Labor by January 14, 2000 on the status of the Peer Support Program for Displaced Workers funded in fiscal year 1999-00 and the availability of funding to continue the program in fiscal year 2000-01 and future biennia.
Sec. 3. Effective date. Section 1 of this Act takes effect July 1, 2000.
See title page for effective date, unless otherwise indicated.
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