Sec. 3. 5 MRSA §13056, sub-§7, as enacted by PL 1987, c. 534, Pt. A, §§17 and 19, is amended to read:

7. Contract for services. When contracting for services, the department, to the maximum extent feasible, shall seek to use the State's private sector resources in conducting studies, providing services and preparing publications.; and

Sec. 4. 5 MRSA §13056, sub-§8 is enacted to read:

8.__Lead agency for business assistance in response to certain events.__Be the lead agency for the State to provide information and business assistance to employers and businesses as part of the State's response to an event that causes the Department of Labor to carry out rapid-response activities as described in 29 United States Code, Sections 2801 to 2872 (2002).

Sec. 5. Department of Labor to develop directory. The Department of Labor, within 90 days from the effective date of this Act, shall develop a directory of relevant and appropriate agencies and organizations whose resources could be beneficial to laid-off workers. The directory must be made available to employers and others involved in developing community responses to small or large events involving layoffs of workers.

Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this Act takes effect when approved.