Armilda Beard; L. Thelma Cook; Lorene
Costantino; Lawrence Emge, Sr.; Michael
Galiazzo; Myra L. Gary; Sherrie C. Harden-
Kober; David Hertel; Earl Jones; Edward
Kareski; Velma Martin; Donna May; Margaret
Nusbaum; James Protzman; Richard Scott; Ellen
Smith; Sandy Smookler; Michelle Taylor; Rebecca
Tucker; Linda Wilkins; Edna Winik; J. W.
Zebley, Jr.; C. E. Bo Zerhusen.

Apprenticeship Information Center
1100 N. Eutaw St., Room 204
Baltimore 21201 Telephone: 333-5533

The former Department of Employment Securi-
ty established an Apprenticeship Information
Center in 1964 under the direction of the U.S. De-
partment of Labor, Bureau of Apprenticeship and
Training. In conjunction with the opening, the
Governor and the Mayor of Baltimore City jointly
appointed a Citizens Advisory Committee. In
1970, the Governor reactivated the Committee as
the Apprenticeship Information Center Advisory
Committee.

The Committee reviews laws and official deci-
sions that effect the apprenticeship system. It also
promotes employment opportunities for youth as
apprentices, consults and advises groups concern-
ing apprenticeship, and advises and assists in
problem areas where there is resistance to equal
opportunity practices. The Committee promotes
the establishment of formal apprenticeship pro-
grams, and studies ways and means of encourag-
ing and accelerating apprenticeship job oppor-
tunities.

Appointed by the Governor, the Committee
consists of representatives from employer groups,
labor, minorities, the general public, and State
and local government.

OFFICE OF UNEMPLOYMENT
INSURANCE

1100N. Eutaw St.
Baltimore 21201 Telephone; 333-5502

The Office of Unemployment Insurance
originated in 1936 as the Unemployment Com-
pensation Board (Chapter 1, Acts of Special Ses-
sion of 1936). The Board was superseded by the
Department of Employment Security in 1937
(Chapter 314, Acts of 1937). The Department's
Unemployment Insurance Division administered
the unemployment insurance law until 1970. In
that year, the Department was reorganized as the

Department of Employment and Social Services
(Chapter 96, Acts of 1970). The new Depart-
ment's Employment Security Administration car-
ried on administrative responsibilities and in 1975
was renamed the Unemployment Insurance Divi-
sion of the Department of Human Resources
(Chapter 382, Acts of 1975). In 1983, the division
was transferred to the Department of Employ-
ment and Training and renamed the Unemploy-
ment Insurance Administration. It became part of
the Department of Economic and Employment
Development in 1987 (Senate Bill no. 699).

Pursuant to the Maryland Unemployment In-
surance Law, the Office of Unemployment Insur-
ance supervises the Unemployment Insurance
Program carried out by local offices (Code 1957,
Art. 95A). The Office collects contributions from
employers covered by the Maryland Unemploy-
ment Insurance Law, collects quarterly wage in-
formation on covered employees, determines
weekly benefits and eligibility in accordance with
this wage information, and issues benefit checks to
eligible claimants. It reviews benefit payments to
determine if any were improperly made, recovers
improper payments, and pays benefits to individu-
als who formerly worked in Maryland but now re-
side in other states. As provided by reciprocal in-
terstate agreement, the Office also collects
Maryland residents' claims against employers in
other states.

Using an experience rating system, the Unem-
ployment Insurance Law allows a reduced contri-
bution rate for employers who maintain steady
employment. All funds collected under the law
are deposited with the federal Treasury for the
credit of the Unemployment Insurance Trust
Fund of Maryland and may be used only for the
payment of benefits.

Three units make up the Office. The Appeals
Unit hears cases that have been appealed by
claimants and employers following administrative
review. The Benefits Unit determines claimants'
eligibility for unemployment insurance benefits.
The Unit administers the taking and processing of
claims, adjudication of ineligible claims, and fraud
detection and prosecution. The Benefits Units also
oversees interstate combined wage and federal un-
employment benefit programs. The Contributions
Unit establishes employer tax accounts and as-
signs rates, charges benefits, and collects taxes on
each account. This unit also collects all delinquent
accounts and maintains the Unemployment Insur-
ance Trust Fund.