The bill amends section 4141.29 of the Revised Code to waive the requirement for unemployment claimants to actively seek work under certain conditions. It allows the director of job and family services to waive this requirement for individuals laid off if the employer notifies the director within ten days that work is expected to resume within forty-five days. Additionally, a waiver can be granted if an employer temporarily closes part of their plant for up to twenty-six weeks, contingent upon a joint request from the employer and affected individuals. The bill also mandates a waiver for up to seventeen weeks for claimants laid off due to weather conditions between December 1 and March 31, provided the employer specifies when work will resume.

Moreover, the bill clarifies conditions under which individuals may be disqualified from receiving benefits, ensuring that those who refuse suitable work offers under specific circumstances will not lose their benefits. It introduces a profiling system for new claimants to identify those likely to exhaust their benefits and requires the director of unemployment services to refer these claimants to reemployment services. The bill also repeals the existing section 4141.29, indicating a comprehensive update to the unemployment compensation framework.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 4141.29