1. State employment service. The commissioner shall establish and maintain free public employment offices in such number and in such places as may be necessary for the proper administration of this chapter and for the purpose of performing such duties as are within the purview of the “Wagner-Peyser Act.” It shall be the duty of the commissioner to cooperate with any official or agency of the United States having powers or duties under the said Act of Congress, as amended, and to do and perform all things necessary to secure to this State the benefits of the said Act of Congress, as amended, in the promotion and maintenance of a system of public employment offices. The provisions of the said Act of Congress, as amended, are accepted by this State, in conformity with section 4 of said Act, and this State will observe and comply with the requirements thereof. The Department of Labor is designated and constituted the agency of this State for the purpose of this Act. The commissioner may cooperate with or enter into agreements with the Railroad Retirement Board with respect to the establishment, maintenance and use of free employment service facilities.

2. Financing. All funds received by this State under the federal Wagner-Peyser Act, as amended, must be paid into an employment services fund and the funds made available to the commissioner to be expended as provided by this section and by that Act of Congress. For the purpose of establishing and maintaining free public employment offices, the commissioner is authorized to enter into agreements with the Railroad Retirement Board, or any other agency of the United States charged with the administration of an unemployment compensation law or employment security law, with any political subdivision of this State or with any private, nonprofit organization, and as a part of any such agreement the commissioner may accept funds, services or quarters as a contribution to an employment services fund.

3. Services to students. The commissioner shall include in each annual plan of service a program for service to students in Maine public secondary schools. Such plan shall give priority of service to all public high school students, particularly those who do not have definite post-graduation plans for employment or further education. The service may provide to such students testing where appropriate, counseling concerning their ability and the availability of jobs, and any other services of the Employment Service which will assist them to obtain and retain suitable employment or further education, including services of the Job Bank.