BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 2130

By: Turner, Chris

Business & Industry

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Current unemployment insurance law requires claimants to seek work, but also allows a claimant to refuse work that is not suitable under certain limited circumstances. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been calls to expand these circumstances so as to allow a claimant to refuse work that would potentially expose them to infectious disease while still retaining benefit eligibility. H.B. 2130 seeks to do so.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 2130 amends the Labor Code to establish that, for purposes of determining an individual's eligibility for unemployment compensation benefits, work is not suitable and benefits may not be denied to an otherwise eligible individual for refusal to accept new work if either of the following statements is true:

· the place of performance of the work offered is in violation of federal, state, or local protocols relating to the spread of infectious diseases, including COVID-19; or

· the work offered presents an unreasonable risk of exposure to infectious diseases, including COVID-19, that cannot be mitigated with reasonable care.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2021.