AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Interested parties contend that an individual receiving unemployment compensation benefits is often interested in returning to work as quickly as possible. Such an individual may accept a position knowing that the position is not suitable for the individual. The parties assert that an individual who accepts such a position, then voluntarily leaves that employment at any time without good cause connected to work, will be disqualified from receiving unemployment compensation benefits. The goal of H.B. 1580 is to allow an individual to leave employment under certain circumstances and receive unemployment compensation benefits.
H.B. 1580 amends current law relating to excluding certain short-term employment from unemployment compensation chargebacks and grounds for benefit disqualification.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 204.022, Labor Code, by adding Subsection (a-1), as follows:
(a-1) Prohibits benefits computed on benefit wage credits of an employee or former employee from being charged to the account of an employer if the employment did not constitute suitable work for the employee, as determined under Section 207.008 (Suitable Work), and the employee worked for the employer for less than four weeks.
SECTION 2. Amends Section 207.045, Labor Code, by adding Subsection (g-1), as follows:
(g-1) Provides that an individual who voluntarily leaves the individual's last work is not disqualified for benefits under this section if:
(1) at the time the last work began, the individual was receiving benefits under this subtitle;
(2) the work did not constitute suitable work for the individual, as determined under Section 207.008; and
(3) the individual was employed at the last work for less than four weeks.
SECTION 3. Makes application of this Act prospective.
SECTION 4. Effective date: September 1, 2013.