81R8053 KCR-D

By: Deshotel H.B. No. 1197

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to exceptions to certain disqualifications from receiving unemployment benefits.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Sections 207.045(b) and (d), Labor Code, are amended to read as follows:

(b) A [Except as provided by Subsection (c), a] disqualification for benefits under this section continues until the individual has returned to employment and:

(1) worked for six weeks; or

(2) earned wages equal to six times the individual's benefit amount.

(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, an individual who is available to work may not be disqualified for benefits because the individual left work because of:

(1) a medically verified illness of the individual or the individual's minor child;

(2) injury;

(3) disability;

(4) pregnancy;

(5) an involuntary separation as described by Section 207.046; [or]

(6) a move from the area of the individual's employment that:

(A) was made with the individual's spouse who is a member of the armed forces of the United States; and

(B) resulted from the spouse's permanent change of station of longer than 120 days or a tour of duty of longer than one year; or

(7) a move from the area of the individual's employment that:

(A) was made with the individual's spouse who is not a member of the armed forces of the United States; and

(B) resulted from a change in the location of the spouse's employment.

SECTION 2. Section 207.045(c), Labor Code, is repealed.

SECTION 3. The changes in law made by this Act apply only to eligibility for unemployment compensation benefits based on a claim that is filed with the Texas Workforce Commission on or after the effective date of this Act. A claim filed before the effective date of this Act 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 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2009.