Law alters wage rules for domestic workers

AUGUSTA – Domestic workers’ wages under labor laws are at issue in a bill signed into law by Gov. John Baldacci.

The bill clarifies current Maine law that applies to domestics. If working individually, domestics continue to be exempt from overtime and minimum wage laws.

But now, with more businesses appearing that provide domestic worker services, a bill was submitted to make it clear that those for-profit businesses are not exempt from the wage and overtime laws, said the sponsor, Rep. Ann Haskell, D-Portland.

The bill was submitted for the state Labor Department, and Haskell said Monday there was no opposition to it. Baldacci signed the bill last Thursday.