AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Laid-off workers in Maine who are owed vacation pay will get their unemployment benefits sooner if a bill that’s received initial legislative approval is enacted.
The House of Representatives gave initial approval to the bill by an 81-53 vote Thursday. It still faces further House and Senate votes.
Under present state law, workers who have earned vacation pay when they are laid off must wait the number of weeks for which they are owed to lapse before they can collect unemployment. The bill before lawmakers would remove that restriction, so they could collect sooner.
During a lengthy House debate, supporters called it a fairness issue. But opponents say it’s another burden for already-overstressed businesses.
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