The proposed bill would update the eligibility criteria for Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits by introducing new requirements while removing existing ones. Specifically, it would require individuals to actively seek and apply for suitable work by conducting at least five specified work search actions each week and providing a weekly report detailing these actions. This change would replace the current requirement for individuals to engage in a systematic effort to obtain work over at least four days of the week and to make at least one job contact per day on four different days. Additionally, the bill would enhance the verification process for UI claims by prohibiting the Department of Economic Security (DES) from paying benefits until claims are cross-checked against specified data sets. It would also require DES to prioritize the most current data sets for cross-checking and stipulate that claims found to be ineligible or fraudulent would result in disqualification from benefits and potential prosecution. Other updates include modifications to employer reporting obligations and the removal of outdated language, all aimed at modernizing and strengthening Arizona's employment security framework.

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