AUGUSTA - The Legislature's Labor and Housing Committee voted on Monday to advance a bill sponsored by Rep. Rebecca Millett, D-Cape Elizabeth, that would protect an employee's right to paid time off.
LD 1338 prohibits an employer from discriminating or retaliating against an employee who exercises their right to receive paid time off under Maine's employment law. Currently, Maine law protects an individual who reports their employer for refusing to provide such rights as paid leave, but there is no protection if the employer provides the right but then reduces the employee's hours or fires the individual.
"Maine has a workforce issue and one way to address this is by putting in place policies that safeguard workers financially and physically and create a greater sense of security," said Millett. "Our employees need to know that we value their hard work and stand by the rights we have created in law."
The bill earned the support of many community members and stakeholders, including by Roxanne Kai-Pretovich who described her experience to the committee. "Despite my personal challenges, between health problems and being a single mom at the time, my fear of retaliation and need of hours was greater," she said. "We need a law that protects workers who are in similar positions. Workplace rights have little to no meaning if employees are still fearful to use them due to retaliation from employers."
The bill will face votes in the full House and Senate in the coming weeks.
Millett is serving her first term in the Maine House and represents District 30, part of Cape Elizabeth. She sits on the Education and Cultural Affairs Committee. Prior to representing House District 30, Rep. Millett served eight years in the State Senate, representing District 29 which includes South Portland, Cape Elizabeth and part of Scarborough.
Contact:
Jackie Merrill [Millett], c. 812-1111