H.B. No. 1070 amends Section 207.048 of the Labor Code to clarify the eligibility criteria for unemployment benefits for individuals affected by labor disputes. The bill specifies that individuals are disqualified from receiving benefits if their unemployment is caused by a labor dispute at their last place of employment. However, it introduces new provisions that allow individuals to qualify for benefits if they can demonstrate that they are not involved in the dispute, have been locked out of their workplace, or have been placed on emergency leave without pay.

Additionally, the bill defines "locked out" as the denial of entry to employees who have not gone on strike or notified their employer of an impending strike. It also clarifies that the payment of regular union dues does not count as financing a labor dispute. The changes aim to provide clearer guidelines for determining eligibility for unemployment benefits in the context of labor disputes, ensuring that individuals who are not directly involved in such disputes can still access support. The bill will take effect immediately upon receiving a two-thirds vote from both houses or on September 1, 2025, if that vote is not achieved.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Labor Code 207.048 (Labor Code 207)