The proposed bill would update the eligibility requirements for Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits by requiring unemployed individuals to actively seek and apply for suitable work, conducting at least five work search actions each week, which may include submitting resumes, completing job applications, attending job fairs, and providing weekly reports to the Department of Economic Security (DES). This change would eliminate the current requirement that individuals engage in a systemic effort to obtain work for at least four days a week and make one job contact per day on four different days. Additionally, the bill would enhance the claims examination process by mandating that DES cross-check claims against various data sets, including national databases and state resources, before approving any benefits. It would also prohibit the payment of benefits until these cross-checks are completed and allow DES to refer fraudulent claims for prosecution. These updates aim to tighten eligibility criteria and improve the integrity of the UI benefits system, while also streamlining the employment security process.

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, 23-799.01, 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, 23-799.01, 23-778