Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Labor & Workforce Development Committee

HB 1684

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

Brief Summary of Bill

Expressly states and requires that work for which an individual does not meet minimum age requirements does not constitute suitable work for purposes of work search and work refusal requirements for unemployment compensation eligibility.

Background:

An individual is eligible to receive unemployment benefits if he or she: (1) worked at least 680 hours in covered employment 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 searching for suitable work. "Suitable work" is employment in an occupation in keeping with the individual's prior work experience, education, or training, or if the individual has no prior work experience, special education, or training for employment available in the general area, employment which the individual has the physical and mental ability to perform. The Commissioner of the Employment Security Department (Department) may consider other factors the Commissioner deems pertinent in determining whether work is suitable.

A rule adopted by the Department provides that in general individuals must make job search contacts with at least three employers or participate in three approved in-person job search activities during each week for which a claim for benefits is filed. The work applied for must be suitable.

An individual is disqualified for benefits if the Commissioner finds that the individual has failed, without good cause, either to apply for or accept suitable work.