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

12-702 Department of Labor, Paid Family and Medical Leave Program

Chapter 1, Rules Governing Paid Family and Medical Leave
  • The purpose of this chapter is to provide definitions and procedures for implementing the paid family and medical leave (PFML) program, which was adopted in 2023. This new law, codified at 26 M.R.S. § § 850-A through 850-R, will apply to most employees and employers in the State of Maine. PFML will provide up to 12 weeks of paid leave per benefit year for family, medical or safe leave, with such benefits beginning in mid-2026. Premium contributions will begin January 2025.
  • This Rule is being reposted with changes to certain sections after considering comments from the initial public comment period that ended July 8, 2024 to further ensure proper implementation of the PFML program. To better understand the revisions in the second proposed Rule please be advised of the following:
      • Provisions in the rule that are italicized and are in blue indicates new language;
      • Provisions that are in red and the text is strikethrough indicates the language is no longer in the proposed rule;
      • Provisions that are in black indicates that the language has not been amended.
  • Public Hearing: Tuesday, September 17, 2024 at 9:00 a.m., at the Maine Department of Labor, Frances Perkins Room, 45 Commerce Dr., Augusta, ME 04330.
  • Download the Proposed Rule: Chapter 1 rule (PDF)

Please note: We encourage the public to only comment on provisions of the proposed Rule that have been amended.

Please Note: The public comment period for this proposed rule has ended.


12-179 Board of Occupational Safety and Health - Chapter 6, Regarding Occupational Injuries and Illnesses in the Public Sector

Chapter 6, Regarding Occupational Injuries and Illnesses in the Public Sector

  • The purpose of this chapter is to update this rule to reflect changes to the incorporated by reference rules governing the recording of occupational injuries and illnesses as promulgated by the Federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration at 29 CFR Part 1904, most recently amended on January 1, 2024
  • Download the Proposed Rule:

Please Note: The public comment period for this rule ended on May 17, 2024 at 5:00 pm.


12-179 Board of Occupational Safety and Health - Chapter 2, Occupational Safety and Health Standards for General Industry Employment in the Public Sector

Chapter 2, Occupational Safety and Health Standards for General Industry Employment in the Public Sector

  • The purpose of this change is to update the current Hazard Communication Standard to protect workers by improving the amount and quality of information on labels and safety data sheets. This will allow workers and first responders to react more quickly in an emergency situation.
  • Download the Proposed Rule:

Please Note: The public comment period for this rule has ended.


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:

Please Note: The public comment period for this rule has ended.

 

Past Rulemaking

2024


  • 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