H.B. 772 78(R) BILL ANALYSIS H.B. 772 By: Dukes Economic Development Committee Report (Amended) BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Unemployment benefits are in place to ease the burden of job loss by allotting the newly unemployed financial assistance to aid in the process of seeking new employment. However, state law does not provide unemployment benefits for victims of family violence or stalking. According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, between one quarter and one half of domestic violence survivors report losing a job due to the violence in their lives. Maintaining an independent source of income is critical for those trying to escape domestic violence. HB 772 amends the Labor Code to allow employees to receive unemployment insurance benefits if the separation was a result of family violence or stalking. 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 HB 772 amends the Labor Code to allow employees who have been advised to leave their workplace to protect them from family violence or stalking to collect unemployment insurance. HB 772 amends the Labor Code to provide that unemployment insurance benefits may not be charged to an employer's account if the separation was the result of family violence or stalking. EFFECTIVE DATE Upon passage, or, if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act takes effect September 1, 2003. EXPLANATION OF AMENDMENTS The amendment specifies the how an employee may provide evidence of family violence or stalking.