Brief Description: Extending the deadline for the report by the joint legislative task force on unemployment insurance benefit equity.

Sponsors: By Representatives Conway and Dickerson.

House Committee on Commerce & Labor
Senate Committee on Labor, Commerce, Research & Development

Background:

An individual is eligible to receive regular unemployment 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 good cause; and (3) is able to work and is actively seeking employment. An individual is disqualified from receiving benefits if he or she leaves work voluntarily without good cause.

The "good cause quit" section enumerates reasons for leaving work that are considered to be good cause and not disqualifying. In 2003 the Legislature enacted a number of changes to the unemployment insurance system, including changes to the "good cause quit" section. These changes limited the reasons considered to be good cause and not disqualifying. The new limits apply to unemployment claims that are effective on or after January 4, 2004. In a lawsuit filed in 2005, the new limits were challenged as unconstitutionally enacted.

Summary:

The "good cause quit" section of the 2003 legislation is reenacted and made to apply retroactively to claims that have an effective date on or after January 4, 2004.

Votes on Final Passage:

House   94   3
Senate   49   0   (Senate amended)
House   98   0   (House concurred)

Effective: June 7, 2006