OFFICE OF UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE
Thomas S Wendel, Executive Director
(410) 767 2444

The Office of Unemployment Insurance began as
the Unemployment Compensation Board in Decem
ber 1936 with the enactment of Maryland's Unem
ployment Compensation Law In 1937, the Board was
superseded by the Department of Employment Secu-
rity (Chapter 314, Acts of 1937) The Department's
Unemployment Insurance Division administered the
unemployment insurance law until 1970 In that year,
the Department reorganized as the Department of
Employment and Social Services (Chapter 96, Acts of
1970) That department's Employment Security Ad
ministration earned on administrative duties and in
1975 was renamed the Unemployment Insurance
Division of the Department of Human Resources
(Chapter 382, Acts of 1975) In 1983, the Division
was transferred to the Department of Employment
and Training and renamed the Unemployment Insur
ance Administration As the Office of Unemployment
Insurance, it became part of the Department of Eco-
nomic and Employment Development in 1987
(Chapter 311, Acts of 1987) It was transferred in
1995 to the Department of Labor, Licensing, and
Regulation (Chapter 120, Acts of 1995)
The Office supervises the Unemployment Insur-
ance Program earned out by local offices (Code Labor
and Employment Article, sees 8 101 through 8-
1505) In accordance with the Maryland Unemploy
ment Insurance Law, the Office collects contributions
from employers covered by the Law, collects quarterly
wage information 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 pay-
ments, and pays benefits to individuals who formerly
worked in Maryland but now reside in other states
As provided by reciprocal mterstate agreement, the
Office also collects Maryland residents' claims against
employers in other states
Using an expenence rating system, the Unemployment
Insurance Law allows a reduced contnbution rate for em-
ployerswho maintain steady employment AUfundscollected
under the Law are deposited with the U S Treasury for the
credit of the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund of
Maryland and may be used only to pay benefits

BENEFITS & SPECIAL PROGRAMS SECTION
Allan H Berman, Director
(410) 767-2465

The Benefits and Special Programs Section determines
claimants' eligibility for unemployment insurance benefits
The Section administers the taking and processing of claims,
adjudicanon of ineligible claims, and fraud detection and
prosecution The Section also oversees mterstate combined
wage and federal unemployment benefit programs

CONTRIBUTIONS SECTION
Dennis C Morton, Chief
(410) 767 2488

The Contributions Section establishes employer
tax accounts and assigns rates, charges benefits, and
collects taxes on each account The Section also
collects all delinquent accounts and maintains the
Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund

INTERNAL ANALYSIS SECTION
Lucy A Smith, Acting Chief
(410) 767 2433

The Internal Analysis Section administers benefits
and revenue quality control, benefits payment control,
internal secunty and program integrity, and Unemploy
ment Insurance Program management and analysis The
Section also coordinates the agency's responses to all
audits performed by outside auditors It assigns and
tracks corrective action to ensure that deficiencies are
remedied Each year, it coordinates and directs statewide
the Unemployment Insurance Quality Appraisal, which
is federally mandated, to ensure continued funding of
the Unemployment Insurance Program

DIVISION OF LABOR & INDUSTRY

John P O'Connor, Commissioner
of Labor & Industry
Ileana C O'Bnen, Deputy Commissioner

501 St Paul Place
Baltimore, MD 21202—2272 (410) 333 4179

Established in 1884 as the Bureau of Statistics and
Information, the Division of Labor and Industry is
one of the oldest governmental agencies in this field
m the United States, antedating the U S Department
of Labor by one year (Chapter 211, Acts of 1884)
Aftci 1892, ihc Dcpal tincnt was known as die Indus-
trial Bureau A reorganization m 1916 renamed it the
State Board of Labor and Statistics with enforcement
powers for all factory acts Further reformed in 1939
(Chapter 747, Acts of 1939), Ac Board in 1945
became the Department of Labor and Industry
(Chapter 938, Acts of 1945) It adopted its present
name in 1970 (Chapter 402, Acts of 1970)
The Division of Labor and Industry enforces
laws and regulations affecting workers and employ
ers Protection for workers is provided by the Divi
sion which sets safety standards and promotes
harmony between employers and employees The
Division also protects the public by inspecting rail
roads, boilers, elevators, and amusement rides
The Division is organized into five sections
Apprenticeship, Employment Standards Service,
Occupational Safety and Health, Prevailing Wage,
and Safety Inspection Authorization tor the Divi