The proposed bill would update the eligibility requirements for Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits by introducing new stipulations while removing existing ones. Specifically, it would require unemployed individuals to conduct at least five work search actions each week and provide weekly reports detailing these activities. This replaces the current law's requirement for individuals to engage in a systematic effort to obtain work over four days with at least one job contact per day on four different days, which would be eliminated. Additionally, the bill mandates that the Department of Economic Security (DES) cross-check claims against various data sets before approving benefits, ensuring that no payments are made until these verifications are completed.

Moreover, the bill clarifies language regarding disqualification from receiving extended benefits for individuals who fail to apply for or accept suitable work, replacing gender-specific terms with "individual." It also enhances employer reporting obligations by requiring notifications to the department when a former employee refuses to return to work or fails to respond to job offers, allowing for digital submissions. The bill modifies existing language on suitable work conditions, ensuring individuals are not required to join a union as a condition of employment. Overall, these updates aim to improve the efficiency and integrity of the employment security system.

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