SRC-TBR H.B. 694 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center H.B. 694 By: Yarbrough (Van de Putte) Business & Commerce 5/11/2001 Engrossed DIGEST AND PURPOSE Under current law a person who participates in reemployment services, such as a job search assistance, is eligible to receive unemployment benefits. There is currently no provision that allows for a blind individual, after completion of training and rehabilitation, to work for a workshop and still be eligible for unemployment benefits. H.B. 694 allows a blind individual to remain eligible for unemployment benefits while the person works at a sheltered workshop. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS H.B. 694 amends the Labor Code to provide that, for purposes of determining eligibility for unemployment compensation benefits, "employment" does not include services performed by a blind individual while in training at a sheltered workshop operated by a charitable organization (workshop) under a rehabilitation program. The bill provides that "employment" includes services performed by a blind individual who, after training, works temporarily for a workshop while awaiting employment in the competitive labor market or permanently for a workshop because the individual is unable to compete in the competitive labor market. EFFECTIVE DATE: September 1, 2001.