The bill amends Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 268.085, subdivision 15, which defines "available for suitable employment." The new language clarifies that an applicant must be genuinely attached to the workforce and ready, willing, and able to accept suitable employment without any self-imposed or circumstantial restrictions. Additionally, it specifies that students with regularly scheduled classes must be willing to discontinue those classes if they restrict their ability to accept suitable employment, provided they cannot change their class schedule or make alternative arrangements.

A significant insertion in the bill states that an applicant's search for work must be conducted actively and may only be done remotely if they are searching for personal reasons unrelated to employment. Furthermore, the bill emphasizes that applicants with restrictions on their availability, such as specific hours or days they can work that deviate from the norm for their occupation, are not considered "available for suitable employment." This amendment aims to ensure that individuals seeking unemployment benefits are genuinely available for work in a manner that aligns with the demands of the job market.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 268.085