PROPOSED RULES
Original Notice.
Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 09-17-093.
Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: WAC 192-270-010 and 192-270-015 are revised to update statutory references. WAC 192-270-050 Criteria for approving training plans, is amended for consistency with 2009 legislative changes. New sections are adopted in chapter 192-270 WAC, Training benefits for dislocated workers, to implement 2009 statutory changes.
Hearing Location(s): Employment Secretary Department, Maple Leaf Conference Room, 2nd Floor, 212 Maple Park, Olympia, WA, on May 12, 2010, at 1:30 p.m.
Date of Intended Adoption: May 14, 2010.
Submit Written Comments to: Pamela Ames, P.O. Box 9046, Olympia, WA 98507-9046, e-mail pames@esd.wa.gov, fax (360) 902-9799, by May 11, 2010.
Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Tammy Crawford by May 11, 2010, TTY (360) 902-9569 or (360) 902-9577.
Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: Amendments are made to chapter 192-270 WAC, Training benefits. The amendments implement those sections of chapter 3, Laws of 2009 (ESHB 1906) that were effective on September 6, 2009. The rules define terms, specify the treatment of incomplete applications, and update the criteria for approval of training plans.
Reasons Supporting Proposal: The rules implement changes to the training benefits statute adopted by the 2009 legislature, chapter 3, Laws of 2009.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 50.12.010, 50.12.040, and 50.20.010.
Statute Being Implemented: Sections 4 and 5, chapter 3, Laws of 2009.
Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.
Name of Proponent: Employment security department, governmental.
Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting and Implementation: Juanita Myers, 212 Maple Park, Olympia, (360) 902-9665; and Enforcement: Nan Thomas, 212 Maple Park, Olympia, (360) 902-9303.
No small business economic impact statement has been prepared under chapter 19.85 RCW. The rules are technical in nature and define terms and modify existing rules consistent with statutory changes adopted by the 2009 legislature. Benefits paid under the training benefits program are not charged to the individual's previous employer(s).
A cost-benefit analysis is not required under RCW 34.05.328. Any costs imposed by the changes to the training benefits program result from legislative changes rather than the proposed rules. It is anticipated that these changes will not cause the training benefits program to exceed the $20 million annual appropriation by the legislature.
April 1, 2010
Paul Trause
Deputy Commissioner
When ((determining)) deciding whether your separation
from employment makes you eligible for training benefits, the
department will look at the last job you held for a period of
at least seven weeks ((that was)) in employment covered by
Title 50 RCW or the comparable laws of another state.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 50.12.010, 50.20.010, and 50.22.150(10). 01-11-085, § 192-270-010, filed 5/16/01, effective 6/16/01.]
(1) You have:
(a) Become unemployed due to a permanent plant closure;
(b) Received a federal WARN act notice; or
(c) Received a notice of indefinite layoff as a result of a permanent reduction of operations at your place of employment; and
(2) Suitable work for individuals with your skills is in diminishing demand within your labor market.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 50.12.010, 50.20.010, and 50.22.150(10). 01-11-085, § 192-270-015, filed 5/16/01, effective 6/16/01.]
Reviser's note: RCW 34.05.395 requires the use of underlining and deletion marks to indicate amendments to existing rules. The rule published above varies from its predecessor in certain respects not indicated by the use of these markings.
NEW SECTION
WAC 192-270-017
Military veterans -- RCW 50.22.155
(2)(b)(ii).
(1) The term "during the twelve-month period"
means the individual served in the United States military or
Washington National Guard at any point during the twelve-month
period prior to application date.
(2) The term "application date" means the date on which the individual filed an initial application for unemployment benefits.
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(a) "Injury" means a trauma to the integrity or function of a tissue or organ and the resulting physical conditions;
(b) "Illness" means a condition marked by an obvious deviation from the normal healthy state, characterized by sickness, disease, or other disorder. Alcohol abuse, drug abuse, antisocial behavior, or criminal history alone, or your commitment to a treatment facility, is insufficient by itself to show "illness" within the meaning of this section.
(2) Verification of your injury or illness may, at the department's discretion, require verification from a physician.
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(a) Whether you have a current benefit year as required by RCW 50.22.010(9);
(b) Whether suitable employment is available in the labor
market in which you currently reside (if you were originally
determined to be a dislocated worker, but moved from the area
where your skills were declining to an area where your skills
are in demand, you are not eligible for training benefits);
(((c))) Your plan for completion of the training
including, but not limited to, ((what)) the financial
resources you intend to use to ((fund the)) complete your
training ((plan)) when training benefits run out;
(((d))) (c) Whether you have the qualifications and
aptitudes to successfully complete the training;
(((e))) (d) For each of the following categories of
workers:
(i) Dislocated workers under RCW 50.22.155 (2)(a): Whether suitable employment is available in the labor market in which you currently reside and whether the training is likely to enhance your marketable skills and earning power, based on an assessment of what your earning power would be if training were not provided. If you were originally determined to be a dislocated worker, but moved from the area where your skills were declining to an area where your skills are in demand, you are not eligible for training benefits.
(ii) Low income workers under RCW 50.22.155 (2)(b)(i): Whether vocational training is likely to enhance your earning potential. This consists of training for a career in a demand occupation that will help you obtain and maintain stable, quality employment.
(iii) For military veterans, current members of the Washington National Guard, and disabled individuals under RCW 50.22.155 (2)(b)(ii), (iii) and (iv): Whether training is needed to assist you in finding suitable work in your labor market.
(e) Whether the training relates to a high demand
occupation((, meaning)).
(i) For claims with an effective date prior to April 5, 2009, "high demand" means that the number of job openings in the labor market for the occupation or with that skill set exceeds the supply of qualified workers.
(ii) For claims with an effective date on or after April 5, 2009, "high demand" means an occupation with a substantial number of current or projected employment opportunities;
(f) Whether the training is likely to enhance your marketable skills and earning power, based on an assessment of what your employment prospects would be if training were not approved; and
(g) ((Effective July 1, 2001,)) Whether the educational
institution and training program meet((s)) the performance
criteria established by the workforce training and education
coordinating board.
(2) Academic training may be approved if it meets the criteria of subsection (1) and it meets specific requirements for certification, licensing, or specific skills necessary for the occupation.
(3) The department may approve educational training that has been identified as necessary by the training facility as a prerequisite to a vocational training program that meets the criteria of subsection (1).
(((4) In the case of individuals with physical or sensory
disabilities, or in other unusual circumstances, a written
decision of the commissioner may waive any of the requirements
of this section on an individual basis.))
[Statutory Authority: RCW 50.12.010, 50.20.010, and 50.22.150(10). 01-11-085, § 192-270-050, filed 5/16/01, effective 6/16/01.]
Reviser's note: The typographical error in the above section occurred in the copy filed by the agency and appears in the Register pursuant to the requirements of RCW 34.08.040.