Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing.

     Purpose: Chapter 3, Laws of 2009 adopted a new statute, RCW 50.22.155, which modified the training benefits program for unemployment insurance claimants. Amendments and adoption of new regulations are made to chapter 192-270 WAC, Training benefits, to implement these changes. The rules update statutory references, clarify the criteria for approval of training plans, and adopt new sections to implement the 2009 statutory changes.

     Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 192-270-010, 192-270-015, and 192-270-050.

     Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 50.12.010, 50.12.040, and 50.20.010.

      Adopted under notice filed as WSR 10-08-111 on April 7, 2010.

     Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 4, Amended 3, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0;      Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 4, Amended 3, Repealed 0.

     Date Adopted: May 21, 2010.

Paul Trause

Deputy Commissioner

     When ((determining)) deciding whether your separation from employment makes you eligible for training benefits, the department will look at the last job you held for a period of at least seven weeks ((that was)) in employment covered by Title 50 RCW or the comparable laws of another state.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 50.12.010, 50.20.010, and 50.22.150(10). 01-11-085, § 192-270-010, filed 5/16/01, effective 6/16/01.]

     (1) You have:

     (a) Become unemployed due to a permanent plant closure;

     (b) Received a federal WARN act notice; or

     (c) Received a notice of indefinite layoff as a result of a permanent reduction of operations at your place of employment; and

     (2) Suitable work for individuals with your skills is in diminishing demand within your labor market.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 50.12.010, 50.20.010, and 50.22.150(10). 01-11-085, § 192-270-015, filed 5/16/01, effective 6/16/01.]

     (2) The term "application date" means the date on which the individual filed an initial application for unemployment benefits.

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     (a) "Injury" means a trauma to the integrity or function of a tissue or organ and the resulting physical conditions;

     (b) "Illness" means a condition marked by an obvious deviation from the normal healthy state, characterized by sickness, disease, or other disorder. Alcohol abuse, drug abuse, antisocial behavior, or criminal history alone, or your commitment to a treatment facility, is insufficient by itself to show "illness" within the meaning of this section.

     (2) Verification of your injury or illness may, at the department's discretion, require verification from a physician.

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     (a) Whether you have a current benefit year as required by RCW 50.22.010(9);

     (b) ((Whether suitable employment is available in the labor market in which you currently reside (if you were originally determined to be a dislocated worker, but moved from the area where your skills were declining to an area where your skills are in demand, you are not eligible for training benefits);

     (c))) Your plan for completion of the training including, but not limited to, ((what)) the financial resources you intend to use to ((fund the)) complete your training ((plan)) when training benefits run out;

     (((d))) (c) Whether you have the qualifications and aptitudes to successfully complete the training;

     (((e))) (d) For each of the following categories of workers:

     (i) Dislocated workers under RCW 50.22.155 (2)(a): Whether suitable employment is available in the labor market in which you currently reside and whether the training is likely to enhance your marketable skills and earning power, based on an assessment of what your earning power would be if training were not provided. If you were originally determined to be a dislocated worker, but moved from the area where your skills were declining to an area where your skills are in demand, you are not eligible for training benefits.

     (ii) Low income workers under RCW 50.22.155 (2)(b)(i): Whether vocational training is likely to enhance your earning potential. This consists of training for a career in a demand occupation that will help you obtain and maintain stable, quality employment.

     (iii) For military veterans, current members of the Washington National Guard, and disabled individuals under RCW 50.22.155 (2)(b)(ii), (iii) and (iv): Whether training is needed to assist you in finding suitable work in your labor market.

     (e) Whether the training relates to a high demand occupation((, meaning)).

     (i) For claims with an effective date prior to April 5, 2009, "high demand" means that the number of job openings in the labor market for the occupation or with that skill set exceeds the supply of qualified workers.

     (ii) For claims with an effective date on or after April 5, 2009, "high demand" means an occupation with a substantial number of current or projected employment opportunities;

     (f) Whether the training is likely to enhance your marketable skills and earning power, based on an assessment of what your employment prospects would be if training were not approved; and

     (g) ((Effective July 1, 2001,)) Whether the educational institution and training program meet((s)) the performance criteria established by the workforce training and education coordinating board.

     (2) Academic training may be approved if it meets the criteria of subsection (1) and it meets specific requirements for certification, licensing, or specific skills necessary for the occupation.

     (3) The department may approve educational training that has been identified as necessary by the training facility as a prerequisite to a vocational training program that meets the criteria of subsection (1).

     (((4) In the case of individuals with physical or sensory disabilities, or in other unusual circumstances, a written decision of the commissioner may waive any of the requirements of this section on an individual basis.))

[Statutory Authority: RCW 50.12.010, 50.20.010, and 50.22.150(10). 01-11-085, § 192-270-050, filed 5/16/01, effective 6/16/01.]

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