This bill amends Chapter 13 of Title 72 of the Idaho Code, introducing new definitions and revising existing provisions related to employment security law. It adds two new sections, 72-1323A and 72-1330A, defining "knowingly" and "willfully," and revises Section 72-1351A to clarify employer experience transfer and rate assignment. Additionally, Section 72-1366 is updated to address violations by claimants seeking benefits, and a new section, 72-1371A, outlines the crime of employment security identity theft. The bill specifies that a person "willfully" makes a false statement or fails to disclose material facts in connection with business transfers, and it imposes civil money penalties for violations by both covered and non-covered employers.

The bill also clarifies conditions under which claimants may be denied benefits and establishes penalties for fraudulent claims, including disqualifications for willfully making false statements. It mandates the creation of a web portal for reporting violations and outlines criteria for determining suitable work. Furthermore, it revises laws regarding the collection of overpayments, allowing the director to pursue recovery through various methods and establishing a five-year statute of limitations for most overpayments. The bill reclassifies misrepresentation offenses based on the amount involved and introduces provisions for identity theft related to employment security, making it a felony to use someone else's identity fraudulently. The bill is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Bill Text: 72-1351A, 72-1366, 72-1369, 72-1360, 72-1371