By:  Hochberg                                                     H.B. No. 481



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the eligibility for partial unemployment benefits of 
certain persons with disabilities who have been discharged from 
partial employment.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Chapter 207 of the Labor Code is amended by 
adding Section 207.0211 to read as follows:
	207.0211  ELIGIBILITY OF DISABLED INDIVIDUALS                           
	(a)  A disabled individual who is receiving disability 
insurance in accordance with 42 USC Sec 423 because of a disability 
which limits the numbers of hours the individual can work and who is 
available for partial employment is considered to be available for 
work under Section 207.021(a)(4).
	(b)  The individual's benefit shall be based on the number of 
hours the employee worked during the individual's base period or 
the number of hours of employment the individual is seeking, 
whichever is less.
	SECTION 2.  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.