SENATE BILL REPORT

                  ESB 5770

               As Passed Senate, March 14, 1995

Title:  An act relating to unemployment insurance claimant profiling.

Brief Description:  Providing for unemployment insurance claimant profiling.

Sponsors:  Senators Pelz, Newhouse and Deccio; by request of Employment Security Department.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Labor, Commerce & Trade:  2/16/95, 2/22/95 [DPA, DNPA].

Passed Senate, 3/14/95, 44-0.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON LABOR, COMMERCE & TRADE

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.

  Signed by Senators Pelz, Chair; Deccio, Fraser, Hale, Newhouse, Palmer and Wojahn.

Minority Report:  Do not pass as amended.

  Signed by Senators Heavey, Vice Chair; and Franklin.

Staff:  Jack Brummel (786-7428)

Background:  Federal law was amended last year to require states to identify unemployment insurance claimants who are likely to exhaust their unemployment benefits and who need help finding employment.  Those who fail, without justifiable cause, to use available reemployment services are to be denied benefits for the week of the failure.

Summary of Bill:  If an unemployed worker fits the profile of workers likely to exhaust regular benefits, the individual must participate in reemployment services in order to receive benefits.  This requirement does not apply if the individual completes the services or if the Commissioner of Employment Security finds that there is justifiable cause for nonparticipation.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Requested on February 10, 1995.

Effective Date:  The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.

Testimony For:  This will make sure those most likely to use up benefits receive extra assistance.  About 35,000 people a year will be identified.  The program will help the potentially long-term unemployed find work.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Dale Zeigler, Employment Security Dept. (pro); Clif Finch, AWB (pro).

House Amendment(s):  The Employment Security Department's requirements relating to commissioner approved training are modified.  If an individual fits the department's profile of unemployed workers who are likely to exhaust their benefits, and is satisfactorily progressing in a training program approved by the commissioner, the individual shall be considered to be in training with the approval of the commissioner.  Such individuals, as well as dislocated workers, shall be provided with information concerning the opportunity to receive unemployment insurance benefits while in training.