Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Labor & Workforce Development Committee

HB 2690

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 Description: Establishing community service standards for individuals receiving unemployment benefits.

Sponsors: Representatives Holy, Shea, Hayes, Magendanz, Overstreet, Taylor, Manweller, Nealey, Rodne, Christian, Scott, Condotta, Young and Zeiger.

Brief Summary of Bill

  • Requires community service to be eligible for unemployment benefits, with some exceptions.

Hearing Date: 2/5/14

Staff: Joan Elgee (786-7106).

Background:

The unemployment compensation system provides partial wage replacement benefits for workers who are unemployed through no fault of their own.

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. Individuals must have three employer contacts or job-search activities each week.

Summary of Bill:

To be eligible for unemployment benefits, an individual must, in addition to other requirements, perform at least eight hours of community service for every four weeks of benefits unless the individual is younger than 18 or older than 65, or there is justifiable cause for the failure to perform community service, as determined by the Commissioner of the Employment Security Department.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.