AN ACT RELATIVE TO NOTIFYING EMPLOYEES OF THE RIGHT TO COLLECT UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION.
Whereas , The deferred operation of this act would tend to defeat its purpose, which is to notify employees forthwith of the right to collect unemployment compensation, therefore it is hereby declared to be an emergency law, necessary for the immediate preservation of the public convenience.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
SECTION 1. Section 62A of chapter 151A of the General Laws, inserted by section 32 of chapter 88 of the acts of 1997, is hereby amended by striking out subsection (e).
SECTION 2. Said section 62A of said chapter 151A is hereby further amended by adding the following subsection:-
(g) Each employer shall post at each site operated by the employer, in a conspicuous place, accessible to employees, the following information: the name and mailing address of the employer, the identification number assigned to the employer by said division, instructions on how to file a claim for unemployment compensation, the address and telephone number of the regional office of said division located nearest the work site, and the telephone number of the teleclaim information line. Each failure to post the information described herein shall result in a written warning by said division to the employer for a first violation, and thereafter shall result in the assessment of a civil fine of $100 for a second violation, $250 for a third violation, and $500 for a fourth and subsequent violations. Said division shall collect all fines assessed for violations of this subsection for deposit into the General Fund.
Each employer shall issue to every separated employee, as soon as practicable, but not to exceed 30 days from the last day said employee performed compensable work, written information furnished or approved by said division which shall contain the name and mailing address of the employer, the identification number assigned to the employer by said division, instructions on how to file a claim for unemployment compensation, the address and telephone number of the regional office which serves the recipient, and the telephone number of the teleclaim information line. Delivery is made when an employer provides such information to an employee in person or by mail to the employee's last known address. The waiting period under section 23 for an employee who did not receive the information required by this paragraph and who failed to file timely for benefits, shall be the Sunday of the initial week such employee would have been eligible to receive unemployment compensation. Each employer shall have the burden of demonstrating compliance with the provisions required herein.
SECTION 3. Section 1 of this act shall take effect as of November 13, 1997.