Maine has adopted a new, uniform standard for who can be classified as an "independent contractor" for worker’s compensation and other employment-related cases. The change went into effect on Dec. 31, 2012. State officials say the uniform definition will help eliminate confusion for businesses. Previously, the state’s department of labor, the workers’ compensation board and the revenue services used different criteria for who would be classified as an independent contractor. Officials say this new definition clarifies the conditions under which a worker should be classified as an employee or as an independent contractor. The independent contractor standard will be applied uniformly in worker’s compensation, unemployment, and wage and hour laws.