Sec. 1. 26 MRSA §1194, sub-§2, as amended by PL 1999, c. 464, §8, is further amended to read:

2. Determination. A representative designated by the commissioner, and in this chapter referred to as a deputy, shall promptly examine the first claim filed by a claimant in each benefit year and shall determine the weekly benefit amount and maximum benefit amount potentially payable to the claimant during that benefit year in accordance with section 1192, subsection 5.

The deputy shall promptly examine all subsequent claims filed and, on the basis of facts, shall determine whether or not that claim is valid with respect to sections 1192 and 1193, other than section 1192, subsection 5, or shall refer that claim or any question involved therein in the claim to the Division of Administrative Hearings or to the commission, which shall make a determination with respect thereto to the claim in accordance with the procedure described in subsection 3, except that in any case in which the payment or denial of benefits will be is subject to section 1193, subsection 4, the deputy shall promptly transmit a report with respect to that subsection to the Director of Unemployment Compensation upon the basis of which the director shall notify appropriate deputies as to the applicability of that subsection.

The deputy shall determine in accordance with section 1221, subsection 3, paragraph A, the proper employer's experience rating record, if any, against which benefits of an eligible individual shall must be charged, if and when paid.

The deputy shall promptly notify the claimant and any other interested party of the determinations and reasons therefor for the determinations. Subject to subsection 11, unless the claimant or any such interested party, within 15 calendar days after that notification was mailed to his the claimant's last known address, files an appeal from that determination, that determination shall be is final, provided except that the period within which an appeal may be filed may be extended, for a period not to exceed an additional 15 calendar days, for good cause shown. If new evidence or pertinent facts that would alter that determination become known to the deputy prior to the date that determination becomes final, a redetermination is authorized, but that redetermination must be mailed before the original determination becomes final.

If an employer's separation report for an employee is not received by the office specified thereon on the separation report within 10 days after that report was requested, the claim shall