An Act To Assist Military Service Members with Access to the Federal Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994

Sec. 1. 37-B MRSA §515  is enacted to read:

§ 515.  Notification regarding department’s federal Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994 website

The director shall notify military service members about the resources available on the department's federal Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994 website prior to their deployment and upon their return from deployment.

Sec. 2. Creation of website. The Department of Defense, Veterans and Emergency Management, Bureau of Maine Veterans' Services shall create a website that provides information to military service members about the federal Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994, referred to in this Act as "USERRA." The website must include, at a minimum, the following:

1. A list of the major protections provided by USERRA;

2. A link to the text of USERRA;

3. The requirements that a returning military service member must meet to be eligible for reemployment protection pursuant to USERRA;

4. Links to websites from which military service members can get assistance for potential employment discrimination claims;

5. Links to necessary forms and contact information for filing a complaint related to employment discrimination;

6. Information about any state laws that are based on USERRA; and

7. Answers to frequently asked questions about USERRA and the process for filing a complaint.

summary

This bill directs the Department of Defense, Veterans and Emergency Management, Bureau of Maine Veterans' Services to establish a website that provides information to military service members about the federal Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994. The bill also requires the Director of the Bureau of Maine Veterans' Services to inform military service members about the website prior to and upon return from their deployment.