Highlights
Impacted Employers:Allemployers with employees in Maine
Effective Date:July 13, 2026
Summary:Maine has enacted legislation requiring employers who violate thestate’s employment lawsto notify employees.
Next Steps:Employers should monitor the legislature’s website for the date of adjournment to determine the exact effective date. Additionally, employers should review their policies and practices and ensure compliance with Chapter 7 and other applicable laws.
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The Details
Maine has enacted legislation requiring employers to notify employees if they are found in violation of Title 26, Chapter 7 of the Maine Revised Statutes. Chapter 7 contains dozens of provisions relating to pay, hours, recordkeeping, workplace postings, access to personnel files, leave, breaks, and certain other areas of employment law.
Once the new law takes effect, if the Maine Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Standards (BLS) issues a notice of violation to an employer under Chapter 7, the employer must post the notice prominently in a conspicuous location in the workplace that is accessible to employees.
If no such location exists, a copy or copies of the notice of violation must be delivered to each employee in a reasonable manner.
Note: The requirement to notify employees is in addition to any penalties or remedies ordered by BLS.
If a notice of violation of Chapter 7 covers a defined period, it must be provided to all employees who were employed during that period.
For this provision, the law defines reasonable manners of delivery as mail, email, and text messages, provided the employer’s communication is in the same language in which the employer typically communicates to employees.
The new law also clarifies BLS enforcement procedures. Review the full text of the law for details.
Next steps
Employers should review their policies and practices and ensure compliance with Chapter 7 and other applicable laws.