SB 6082 - DIGEST
(SEE ALSO PROPOSED 1ST SUB)

Finds that the changes in chapter 4, Laws of 2003 2nd sp. sess. to the voluntary quit portions of the state's unemployment compensation laws have disproportionately affected women.

Finds that the December 2006 report by the employment security department on their review of unemployment claims filed from July 1, 2004, through June 30, 2005, indicates that the three categories of reasons why people who were denied benefits left their jobs was due to factors such as reduction in hours or wages; domestic or marital responsibilities; and illness or disability of the claimant or an immediate family member. Of these categories, domestic or marital responsibility showed the most significant disparity along gender lines. The legislature finds that more than seventy-one percent of all denials in this category were women.

Declares that the previous changes to the voluntary quit provisions had an unexpected gender impact and that this impact should be remedied.