Brief Description: Correcting certain references dealing with unemployment compensation.

Sponsors: Representatives McCoy, Condotta, Conway, McMorris, Moeller and Chase; by request of Employment Security Department.

Hearing Date: 1/22/04

Staff: Jill Reinmuth (786-7134).

Background:

Individuals are eligible to receive unemployment benefits if they: (1) worked at least 680 hours in covered employment in their base year; (2) were separated from employment through no fault of their own or quit work for good cause; and (3) are able to work and are actively searching for suitable work.

Individuals are disqualified from receiving benefits for a variety of reasons, including if they leave work voluntarily without good cause. Good cause includes leaving work to protect the claimant or an immediate family member from domestic violence.

In 2003, when the Legislature made numerous changes to the Employment Security Act, there were errors in references to the provision making domestic violence good cause for voluntarily quitting work.

Summary of Bill:

Erroneous references to the provision making domestic violence good cause for voluntarily quitting work are corrected.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

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