BILL REQ. #:  S-3785.1 

Read first time 01/17/2006.   Referred to Committee on Labor, Commerce, Research & Development.

     AN ACT Relating to disqualification from unemployment benefits due to incarceration; and adding a new section to chapter 50.20 RCW.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   A new section is added to chapter 50.20 RCW to read as follows:
     An individual shall be disqualified from benefits if he or she has been discharged or suspended because he or she is incarcerated and fails to report for work as scheduled and fails to notify the employer within twenty-four hours of his or her failure to report for work. The disqualification begins with the first day of the calendar week in which he or she has been discharged or suspended and continues for seven calendar weeks and until he or she has obtained bona fide work in employment covered by this title and earned wages in that employment equal to seven times his or her weekly benefit amount.