Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Commerce & Labor Committee

SB 5804

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

Brief Summary of Bill

Sets forth the circumstances in which a quit of part-time employment does not disqualify an individual from receiving unemployment benefits for a subsequent loss of full-time employment.

Background:

The unemployment compensation system is designed and intended to provide partial wage replacement for workers who are unemployed through no fault of their own. Eligible unemployed workers receive benefits based on their earnings in their base year. Most covered employers pay contributions (payroll taxes) to finance benefits. The Employment Security Department administers the system.

An individual is eligible to receive regular benefits if he or she: (1) worked at least 680 hours in his or her base year; (2) was separated from employment through no fault of his or her own, or quit work for reasons listed in state law or for good cause; and (3) is able to work and is actively searching for work.

An individual is disqualified from benefits if he or she quit work without good cause. The disqualification is for seven weeks and until the individual earns wages in covered employment equal to seven times his or her weekly benefit amount.

Summary of Bill:

An individual is not disqualified from unemployment benefits if he or she:

was simultaneously employed in part-time employment and full-time employment;
voluntarily quit part-time employment before the loss of full-time employment;
did not have prior knowledge that he or she would be separated from full-time employment; and
is otherwise eligible for benefits from the loss of full-time employment.

Rules Authority: The bill does not address the rule-making powers of an agency.