HBA-BSM, MPM H.B. 694 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 694
By: Yarbrough
Economic Development
2/23/2001
Introduced



BACKGROUND 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.  House Bill 694 allows a blind
individual to remain eligible for unemployment benefits while the person
works at a sheltered workshop.  

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

ANALYSIS

House Bill 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.