By:  Hochberg                                                     H.B. No. 481



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the eligibility for unemployment benefits of certain 
persons with disabilities.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Subchapter B, Chapter 207, Labor Code, is 
amended by adding Section 207.0211 to read as follows:
	Sec. 207.0211.  ELIGIBILITY OF CERTAIN DISABLED PERSONS.  A 
permanently disabled individual is considered to be able to work 
under Section 207.021(a)(3) and available for work for purposes of 
Section 207.021(a)(4) if, as a result of the individual's 
disability, the individual:
		(1)  is unable to work full-time;                                      
		(2)  has worked part-time during a substantial part of 
the individual's base period;
		(3)  is seeking part-time work consistent with the 
limitations imposed by the individual's disability; and
		(4)  is receiving disability insurance benefits under 
42 U.S.C. Section 423.
	SECTION 2.  The change in law made by this Act applies only 
to a claim for unemployment compensation benefits that is filed 
with the Texas Workforce Commission on or after the effective date 
of this Act.  A claim filed before that date is governed by the law 
in effect on the date the claim was filed, and the former law is 
continued in effect for that purpose.
	SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives 
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as 
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this 
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this 
Act takes effect September 1, 2005.