EMERGENCY RULES
Effective Date of Rule: Immediately.
Purpose: The rule will implement SSB 6751, adopted by the 2008 legislature, which establishes good cause for individuals who quit work to enter an approved apprenticeship training program. The rule describes the conditions under which the amended law applies and defines terms.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 50.12.010, 50.12.040, 50.20.010.
Under RCW 34.05.350 the agency for good cause finds that immediate adoption, amendment, or repeal of a rule is necessary for the preservation of the public health, safety, or general welfare, and that observing the time requirements of notice and opportunity to comment upon adoption of a permanent rule would be contrary to the public interest.
Reasons for this Finding: The legislation is effective June 12, 2008. There was insufficient time between passage and effective date to complete the rule-making process. The rule is necessary to clarify eligibility for unemployment benefits of individuals who quit work to enter apprenticeship training.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Date Adopted: June 10, 2008.
Karen T. Lee
Commissioner
(2) Application. This section applies only if you quit work to enter into related/supplemental (classroom) instruction that is part of an apprenticeship program. If you quit work to begin employment for an employer who is a party to an apprenticeship agreement, the department will review the separation under RCW 50.20.050 (2)(b)(i) and WAC 192-150-050 to determine if you left work to accept a bona fide job offer.
(3) Definitions. For purposes of this chapter:
(a) "To enter" means to begin participation in the apprenticeship program.
(i) The term "to enter" includes:
(A) Apprentices who accept temporary work with an employer who is not a party to the apprenticeship agreement and quit work to re-enter training.
(B) Apprentices who quit work for a participating employer to enter a different apprenticeship program.
(ii) The term "to enter" does not include:
(A) Claimants applying for an apprenticeship program who at the time of quitting work are not enrolled in apprenticeship or pre-apprenticeship training. Their eligibility for benefits will be reviewed under RCW 50.20.050(2).
(B) Current apprentices who temporarily stop work for a participating employer to attend related/supplemental instruction that is a required component of their apprenticeship agreement. Claimants in this situation are considered to be on temporary layoff from work. Their eligibility for commissioner approved training will be reviewed under WAC 192-200-020(3).
(b) "Active participation" means attending classes or engaging in other activities that are part of the related/supplemental instruction.
(c) The terms "apprentice," "apprenticeship agreement," "apprenticeship program," "approved," and "related/supplemental instruction" have the meanings described in WAC 296-05-003.
(4) Establishing good cause. If you quit work to enter an apprenticeship program, you will have good cause within the meaning of RCW 50.20.050 (2)(b)(xi) if you satisfactorily demonstrate that:
(a) You are entering an apprenticeship program approved by the Washington state apprenticeship training council;
(b) Prior to leaving work, you had a confirmed start date for related/supplemental instruction; and
(c) You continued in your employment for as long as was reasonably consistent with whatever arrangements were necessary to begin the related/supplemental instruction. In any event, you will not be eligible for benefits until the week prior to the week the related/supplemental instruction begins.
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