The proposed bill would update the eligibility requirements for Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits by introducing new stipulations and removing existing ones. It would require unemployed individuals to actively seek and apply for suitable work by conducting at least five work search actions each week, such as submitting resumes and attending job fairs. This replaces the current requirement of engaging in a systematic effort to obtain work over at least four days of the week with at least one job contact per day on four different days. Additionally, the bill would enhance the claims examination process by mandating that the Department of Economic Security (DES) cross-check claims against various data sets, including national databases for employment and incarceration records, before benefits are paid. It would also prohibit the payment of benefits for claims found to be ineligible or fraudulent based on these cross-checks. Overall, these changes aim to tighten eligibility criteria for UI benefits and improve the integrity of the claims process while ensuring that individuals actively engage in job-seeking activities.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 23-634.01, 23-762, 23-763, 23-771, 23-773, 23-776, 23-780, 23-621, 23-772, 23-775, 23-777, 23-363, 23-622, 23-615, 23-779, 23-609, 13-3601, 13-3601.02, 23-727, 23-673, 23-778
Senate Engrossed Version: 23-634.01, 23-762, 23-763, 23-771, 23-773, 23-776, 23-780, 23-621, 23-772, 23-775, 23-777, 23-363, 23-622, 23-615, 23-779, 23-609, 13-3601, 13-3601.02, 23-727, 23-673, 23-778
House Engrossed Version: 23-634.01, 23-762, 23-763, 23-771, 23-773, 23-776, 23-780, 23-621, 23-772, 23-775, 23-777, 23-363, 23-622, 23-615, 23-779, 23-609, 13-3601, 13-3601.02, 23-727, 23-673, 23-799.01, 23-778