Summer 2003

Legislative Update

Unemployment benefits for part-time workers:

The Legislature recently passed, and Governor Baldacci signed, a bill to give unemployment insurance benefits to people who choose to work part-time and not full-time.  Until passage of this bill, these workers did not qualify for benefits, even if they were eligible in every other way, just because they were only able to work part-time.  This is the same legislation that was passed by the legislature and vetoed by then Governor King twice last year.

This bill would help anyone who is only available for part-time work.  It would be particularly helpful for families who can only work part time because they need to care for a child with special needs, or an ill parent or spouse.