ASA recently defeated legislation in Maine that, if enacted, would have imposed automatic joint and several liability on staffing companies, effectively holding them responsible for a myriad of actions and decisions made solely by client employers.

Working with the association’s Maine lobbyist Kim Cook from Government Strategies, ASA submitted written testimony to the Maine Joint Labor Committee explaining that the legislation would have increased legal exposure and discouraged staffing companies from serving certain employers or industries, particularly small businesses and emerging enterprises that rely most heavily on temporary staffing. These outcomes would directly reduce employment opportunities for Maine workers, including individuals seeking entry-level positions, flexible schedules, or pathways back into the workforce.

Following conversations with ASA and other business coalitions opposing the bill, Maine Rep. Matthew Beck, the bill’s sponsor, agreed that the bill in its current form was problematic. He agreed that the issue and bill language needed additional time and development.

Due to the short legislative session, the committee recommended defeating the bill and the state House and Senate both concurred. Rep. Beck did indicate that he would introduce a similar bill for consideration in the 2027 legislative session.