The bill amends Kansas unemployment insurance laws by eliminating the eight-week return to work expectation and the cap on temporary unemployment benefits. It revokes the Secretary of Labor's authority to grant extensions for unemployment benefits and removes associated employer reporting duties and industry-specific eligibility criteria. Additionally, the bill excludes payments from compliant employer-sponsored supplemental unemployment benefit plans from the definition of wages and removes the mechanism for negative debt write-off that affected employers' rate groups. It also prohibits charging employers in the ready-mixed concrete and specified construction industries for benefit charges arising from temporary layoffs.

Furthermore, the legislation introduces new definitions and clarifications regarding employment classification and unemployment compensation eligibility. It specifies exemptions for certain services, including those performed by individuals under 18, students, and specific contract workers. The bill establishes a tiered percentage system for remuneration paid to individuals by employers, outlines conditions for employer contributions, and mandates reporting requirements for reimbursing employers. It also includes provisions for enhanced reemployment services for claimants, requiring participation in job search activities and compliance monitoring. Overall, the bill aims to provide greater flexibility for individuals facing temporary unemployment while adjusting employer responsibilities and liabilities.

Statutes affected:
As introduced: 44-703, 44-710, 44-710a, 44-775