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.