(a) For the purposes of this section, a disaster exists if the Department, for 4 consecutive weeks, fails to pay at least 82% of first payments within 21 days after the week ending date of the first compensable week in the benefit year.

(b) (1) The Department shall monitor the Unemployment Insurance Fund for a disaster.

(2) When the Assistant Secretary of the Division of Unemployment Insurance determines that there is a disaster, the Department shall comply with the reporting requirements established under subsection (c) of this section.

(3) (i) The disaster reporting requirements shall remain in effect until the Department, for 4 consecutive weeks, is paying at least 87% of first payments within 21 days after the week ending date of the first compensable week in the benefit year, in accordance with guidelines published by the U.S. Department of Labor.

(ii) When the disaster reporting requirements are no longer in effect under subparagraph (i) of this paragraph, the Assistant Secretary of the Division of Unemployment Insurance shall announce that the Department is no longer required to issue the disaster report under subsection (c) of this section.

(c) (1) The Department shall submit a disaster report to the presiding officers, the Senate Finance Committee, and the House Economic Matters Committee, in accordance with § 2-1257 of the State Government Article:

(i) within 7 days after the disaster determination; and

(ii) every 30 days thereafter while the disaster is ongoing.

(2) The report shall include:

(i) the Unemployment Insurance Fund balance immediately preceding the disaster determination;

(ii) the current balance of the Unemployment Insurance Fund; and

(iii) the Department’s anticipated office staffing needs over the next 30, 60, and 90 days;

(3) the Department’s plan for meeting staffing needs; and

(4) an update on federal funding and support for the Unemployment Insurance Fund.

(d) During a disaster, the Department shall:

(1) be exempt from requirements under the State Finance and Procurement Article for staffing; and

(2) hire additional full-time or part-time staff who are State employees, contractual employees, or individuals under contract with a third-party vendor as needed to meet staffing needs and to respond to issues raised by claimants and employers.

(e) During a disaster, the Assistant Secretary for the Division of Unemployment Insurance shall oversee compliance with the requirements of this section.