Outside Section 76

Electronic Communication

SECTION 76.   Notwithstanding any other general or special law to the contrary, communication required or permitted under chapter 151A of the General Laws shall be made and transmitted in the manner and form prescribed by the director, which may include electronic communication. The director shall establish procedures allowing the use of the United States Postal Service for those lacking reasonable access to, or the ability to use, electronic means of communication. For these purposes, "communication" includes, but is not limited to, notices and questionnaires from the department and responses and other submissions from a claimant, a claimant's representative, an employer, or an employer's representative. Electronic communication sent to the department, made in the name of a claimant or employer using the Social Security Account Number, Federal Employer Identification Number or a unique identification number or code assigned to the claimant or employer by the director, shall be presumed made by that individual or employer, unless the director is satisfied by a preponderance of the available evidence that it was not done by that individual or employer.



Summary:
This section permits the Department of Unemployment Assistance to transmit any communication, if required or permitted by chapter 151A of the General Laws, in a manner prescribed by the director, including through electronic means, provided that the department establishes procedures to allow the use of the United States Postal Service for recipients who may lack reasonable access to, or the ability to use, electronic means of communication.