By Pitts H.B. No. 255 76R469 JMM-D A BILL TO BE ENTITLED 1-1 AN ACT 1-2 relating to the disqualification of certain persons for 1-3 unemployment compensation benefits because of a criminal 1-4 conviction. 1-5 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: 1-6 SECTION 1. Subchapter C, Chapter 207, Labor Code, is amended 1-7 by adding Section 207.0445 to read as follows: 1-8 Sec. 207.0445. DISQUALIFICATION FOR SUBSEQUENT CONVICTION. 1-9 (a) An individual is disqualified for benefits if the individual 1-10 is finally convicted for a criminal offense connected with the 1-11 individual's last work that would have constituted misconduct if 1-12 the conviction had occurred before the date the individual was 1-13 discharged. 1-14 (b) Disqualification under this section continues until the 1-15 individual has returned to employment and: 1-16 (1) worked for six weeks; or 1-17 (2) earned wages equal to six times the individual's 1-18 benefit amount. 1-19 (c) A claimant who received benefits and who is subsequently 1-20 determined to be ineligible under this section is not entitled to 1-21 retain the amount paid. The claimant shall refund the amount paid 1-22 to the compensation fund in the manner prescribed by rules adopted 1-23 by the commission. The commission by rule may allow a repayment 1-24 made under this subsection to be made in periodic payments. 2-1 (d) Benefits required to be refunded under this section are 2-2 collectible in the manner provided by Sections 213.031, 213.032, 2-3 213.033, and 213.035 for the collection of past due contributions. 2-4 SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 1999, and 2-5 applies only to unemployment compensation benefits paid to an 2-6 individual on or after that date. Benefits paid before that date 2-7 are governed by the law in effect on the date the benefits were 2-8 paid, and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose. 2-9 SECTION 3. The importance of this legislation and the 2-10 crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an 2-11 emergency and an imperative public necessity that the 2-12 constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several 2-13 days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended.