MDOL Rulemaking

The Department of Labor has rulemaking authority over such matters including rehabilitation services, wage and hour, safety and health, Unemployment Insurance, the Maine Apprenticeship Program, Paid Family Medical Leave, and employment services.

The Department adopts all rules in accordance with the Maine Administrative Procedure Act (APA), 5 MRSA chapter 375, subchapters 2 and 2-A. View a full list of Rule Chapters for the Department of Labor .
You may also find a link to the Department’s Regulatory Agenda below. The Regulatory Agenda highlights potential rulemaking for the year.


Proposed Rulemaking


12-172, Department of Labor, Bureau of Employment Services- Chapter 2, Rules Governing The Competitive Skills Scholarship Program

The Maine Department of Labor, Bureau of Employment Services, will be holding a public listening session as it develops proposed amendments to the Rule Governing the Competitive Skills Scholarship Program (CSSP). The Program provides funding and support services for eligible Maine residents to pursue associate degrees, bachelors’ degrees or employer recognized credentials leading to high-wage, in-demand jobs in Maine. Changes to the rule are necessary in response to PL 2025 c. 396, An Act to Amend the Law Governing the Competitive Skills Scholarship Program and Establish the Community Workforce Connections Program. 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, building on input received during the October 14 listening session. The public hearing will be held on Tuesday, February 10th, 2026 at 2 p.m. in The Frances Perkins Room at the Maine Department of Labor’s central office, 45 Commerce Drive, Augusta.

  • Notice of Public Comment: January 21, 2026
  • Public Comment Deadline: February 20, 2026
  • Effective Date: June 20, 2026

Download the documents related to this rule:

Comments

Instructions to leave a comment:

  • Click on the Leave a Comment button below. The comment period will end on February 20, 2026.
  • After clicking on the button, an e-mail window will open up. Put the following information into the e-mail:
    • Your Name
    • Your Town or Affiliation
    • Any comments that you might have
  • After putting in the above requested information, please click on the send button.
  • Please contact Michelle Cameron-Doughty at (207) 620-6349 if you need technical assistance to leave a comment.

12-152, Bureau of Rehabilitation Services, Chapter 6, Basic Extended Support Rules

  • These changes are concerning how the Basic Extended Support Program is to provide ongoing support needs to VR consumers with the most significant disabilities once training has been completed. The program provides financial assistance to providers of ongoing support and/or employers to help defray the additional cost incurred providing job coaching, training and supervision on a supported work site.
  • Download the documents related to this rule:

12-170, Bureau of Labor Standards, Chapter 12, Rules Relating to Equal Pay

  • This proposed rule change, triggered by the passage of  P.L. 2025, Resolve,  c. 50 by the 132nd Legislature, is designed to clarify the application of the Maine Equal Pay Law for Health Care Employers who operate facilities in multiple geographic locations.
  • Download the documents related to this rule:

Please note, the public comment period for this proposed rule is closed.


12-170, Bureau of Labor Standards, Chapter 13, Rules Governing the Establishment and Use of Fair Minimum Wage Rates on State Construction Projects

  • The purpose of this Chapter is to establish definitions and procedures to ensure the consistent and fair administration of the Minimum Wage Rates on State Construction Projects Law as presented in 26 MRSA Chapter 15.
  • Download the documents related to this rule:

Please note, the public comment period for this proposed rule is closed.

12-179 Board of Occupational Safety and Health - Chapter 11, Occupational Safety and Health Standards for Worker Walkaround Representative Designation

Chapter 11, Occupational Safety and Health Standards for Worker Walkaround Representative Designation

  • The purpose of this Chapter is to clarify who may participate in walkaround inspections as an “employee representative,” and, at a minimum, conform to Federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration 29 CFR Part 1903.8 revised as of May 31, 2024, requirements.
  • Download the proposed rule: Chapter 11 (PDF)

Please note, the public comment period for this proposed rule is closed.

 

Past Rulemaking

2024


12-702 Department of Labor, Paid Family and Medical Leave Program - Chapter 1 Rules Governing Paid Family and Medical Leave

  • Notice of Public Comment: May 20, 2024 (Reposted August 27, 2024)
  • Public Comment Deadline: July 8, 2024 (Reposted deadline September 30, 2024)
  • Effective Date: January 1, 2025
  • Final Rule Language (PDF)
  • Response to Comments (PDF)

  • Notice of Public Comment: October 18, 2023
  • Public Comment Deadline: November 17, 2023
  • Effective Date: March 18, 2024
  • Final Rule Language (PDF)

  • 12-172 Department of Labor, Bureau of Unemployment Compensation - Chapter 24 Approved Trainings
    • Notice of Public Comment: October 4, 2023 (Reposted February 21, 2024)
    • Public Comment Deadline: November 6, 2023 (Reposted deadline March 29, 2024)
    • Effective Date: July 23, 2024
    • Final Rule Language (PDF)
    • Response to Comments (PDF)
  • 12-172 Department of Labor, Bureau of Unemployment Compensation - Chapter 27 Work Share Rules

2023

  • Notice of Public Comment Posted: October 25, 2023
  • Public Hearing: November 14, 2023
  • Public Comment Deadline: November 29, 2023
  • Effective Date: December 13, 2023 Final Rule Language: Link to Language

  • Notice of Public Comment November 9, 2022
  • Public Comment Deadline: December 9, 2022
  • Effective Date: January 29, 2023
  • Final Rule Language: Link to Language

  • Notice of Public Comment Posted: December 14, 2022
  • Public Hearing: January 5, 2023
  • Public Comment Deadline: January 17, 2023
  • Effective Date: March 1, 2023
  • Final Rule Language: Link to Language
  • Department Response to Comments: Link to Responses

2022

  • Notice of Public Comment Posted: November 3, 2021
  • Public Hearing: November 22, 2021
  • Public Comment Deadline: December 6, 2021
  • Effective Date: September 21, 2022
  • Final Rule Language: Link to Language

  • Notice of Public Comment Posted: May 25, 2022
  • Public Comment Deadline: June 27, 2027
  • Effective Date: July 19, 2022
  • Final Rule Language: Link to Language

  • Notice of Public Comment Posted: July 13, 2021
  • Public Comment Deadline: September 24, 2021
  • Effective Date: January 15, 2022
  • Final Rule Language: Link to Language
  • Department Response to Comments: Link to Responses

  • Notice of Public Comment Posted: May 25, 2022
  • Public Comment Deadline: June 27, 2022
  • Effective Date: July 19, 2022
  • Final Rule Language: Link to Language

  • Notice of Public Comment Posted: February 16, 2022
  • Public Comment Deadline: March 18, 2022
  • Effective Date: May 4, 2022
  • Final Rule Language: Link to Language

2021

  • Notice of Public Comment: October 6, 2021
  • Public Comment Deadline: November 8, 2021
  • Effective Date: November 20, 2021
  • Final Rule Language: Link to Language

  • Notice of Public Comment: September 15, 2021
  • Public Comment Deadline: October 15, 2021
  • Effective Date: November 20, 2021
  • Final Rule Language: Link to Language

  • Notice of Public Comment Posted: March 25, 2020
  • Public Comment Deadline: May 27, 2020
  • Effective Date: January 1, 2021 
  • Final Rule Language: Link to Language
  • Department Response to Comments: Link to Responses

  • Notice of Public Comment: September 15, 2021
  • Public Comment Deadline: October 15, 2021
  • Effective Date: November 20, 2021
  • Final Rule Language: Link to Language

  • Notice of Public Comment Posted: March 17, 2021
  • Public Comment Deadline: April 23, 2021
  • Effective Date: June 29, 2021
  • Final Rule Language: Link to Language
  • Department Response to Comments: Link to Responses