SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 5707

                    As of February 23, 1999

Title:  An act relating to unemployment benefits and claims.

Brief Description:  Protecting employers from excess unemployment compensation costs when a former employee fails a preemployment drug test.

Sponsors:  Senators Morton, Bauer, Stevens, Rossi, Johnson, Hale, Honeyford, Zarelli, Sellar, Hochstatter, Winsley and Oke.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Labor & Workforce Development:  2/23/99.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON LABOR & WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

Staff:  Jill Reinmuth (786-7452)

Background:  An individual who fails or refuses to take a preemployment drug test may continue to receive unemployment compensation.

Summary of Bill:  If the Commissioner of the Employment Security Department finds that an individual has failed or refused to take a preemployment drug test after receiving an offer of employment, the individual may not continue receiving unemployment compensation.  The individual is ineligible from the first day of the calendar week after the test result and until the individual has obtained "bona fide" work and earned wages equal to five times his or her weekly benefit amount.  The drug test must be conducted in compliance with standards and procedures established in statutes and regulations for drug-free workplaces.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Requested on February 19, 1999.

Effective Date:  The bill takes effect on August 1, 1999.