4 LAWS OF MARYLAND. [CH. 1

DECLARATION OF PUBLIC POLICY.

2. As a guide to the interpretation and application of
this Act, the public policy of this State is declared to be
as follows: Economic insecurity due to unemployment is
a serious menace to the health, morals, and welfare of the
people of this State. Involuntary unemployment is there-
fore a subject of general interest and concern which re-
quires appropriate action by the Legislature to prevent its
spread and to lighten its burden which now so often falls
with crushing force upon the unemployed worker and his
family. The achievement of social security requires pro-
tection against this greatest hazard of our economic life.
This can be provided by encouraging employers to provide
more stable employment and by the systematic accumula-
tion of funds during periods of employment to provide
benefits for periods of unemployment, thus maintaining
purchasing power and limiting the serious social conse-
quences of poor relief assistance. The Legislature, there-
fore, declares that in its considered judgment the public
good, and the general welfare of the citizens of this State
require the enactment of this measure, under the police
powers of the State, for the compulsory setting aside of
unemployment reserves to be used for the benefit of persons
unemployed through no fault of their own.

BENEFITS.

3. (a) PAYMENT OF BENEFITS.

Twenty-four months after the date when contributions
first accrue under this Act, benefits shall become payable
from the fund. All benefits shall be paid through re-em-
ployment offices, in accordance with such regulations as
the Board of Public Works may prescribe.

(b) WEEKLY BENEFIT AMOUNT FOR TOTAL
UNEMPLOYMENT.

Each eligible individual who is totally unemployed (as
defined in section 19 (L) ) in any week shall be paid with
respect to such week, benefits at the rate of fifty per
centum of his full-time weekly wages but not more than
$15.00 per week, nor less than either $5.00 or three-fourths
of his full-time weekly wage, whichever is the lesser.

(c) WEEKLY BENEFIT FOR PARTIAL UNEM-
PLOYMENT.

Each eligible individual who is partially unemployed
(as defined in section 19 (j) ), in any week shall be paid