SENATE BILL REPORT

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 Description: Setting forth the circumstances under which a person qualifies for benefits when voluntarily leaving part-time work.

Majority Report: Do pass.

Signed by Senators Kohl-Welles, Chair; Keiser, Vice Chair; Holmquist, Ranking Minority Member; Franklin, Honeyford, King and Kline.

Background: An unemployed individual will receive unemployment insurance (UI) benefits if that individual meets eligibility requirements, which include having worked at least 680 hours in the last year, being unemployed through no fault of the individual, being able and available to work, and actively searching for work. An individual who voluntarily left work for one of the statutorily listed good cause quit provisions is considered to be unemployed through no fault of the individual.

An individual who leaves work voluntarily without good cause will be disqualified from receiving UI benefits. The disqualification period lasts for seven weeks, and until the individual obtains bona fide employment and has earned sufficient wages.

Summary of Bill: An individual who was simultaneously employed in full-time and part-time employment will not be disqualified from UI benefits if the individual is otherwise eligible for benefits from the loss of the full-time employment, voluntarily quit the part-time employment before the loss of full-time employment, and did not have prior knowledge that he or she would be separated from full-time employment.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: OTHER: The Employment Security Department (ESD) is neutral on the legislation. If an individual quits a job without good reason, the law puts individuals in a “penalty box” until the individual purges the quit. This bill is narrow and covers only individuals who quit part-time work, are subsequently laid off from full-time work, and are otherwise eligible for UI but have not yet purged the part-time work quit.