This bill amends R.S. 23:1595 and enacts R.S. 23:1606, focusing on unemployment compensation in Louisiana. It reduces the maximum duration of unemployment benefits from twenty-six weeks to a range of up to twenty weeks, depending on the average state unemployment rate. Specifically, the bill establishes a formula that ties the maximum duration of benefits to the average unemployment rate, with specific limits set for various unemployment rate thresholds. Additionally, it mandates that the Louisiana Workforce Commission publish the maximum number of weekly benefits available to claimants biannually.

The bill also introduces provisions for extended benefits, defining eligibility criteria and the total amount payable. To qualify for extended benefits, individuals must be classified as "exhaustees" and must be enrolled in an approved training program at the time their regular benefits are exhausted. The weekly extended benefit amount is set to equal the claimant's weekly benefit amount during their benefit year, with a total cap of eight times that amount for any one benefit year. The act is set to take effect on January 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
HB119 Original:
HB119 Engrossed:
HB119 Enrolled:
HB119 Act :