The bill amends existing unemployment insurance laws in Washington State, specifically RCW 50.12.200 and RCW 50.29.021, to clarify the charging of benefits to employers' experience rating accounts. It establishes that benefits paid to individuals who are later determined to be ineligible or disqualified will not be charged to the experience rating accounts of contribution-paying employers. Additionally, the bill specifies various circumstances under which benefits will not be charged to employers, including situations involving public health emergencies, training benefits, and certain separations from employment. The department is also prohibited from requiring employers to submit requests for these benefits to not be charged.

Furthermore, the bill introduces new provisions regarding the relief of charges for employers when benefits are paid due to specific circumstances, such as voluntary separation for non-attributable reasons or discharge for misconduct. It also outlines the conditions under which an employer's experience rating account may not be relieved of charges, particularly in cases of failure to respond adequately to information requests from the department. The advisory council's composition is updated to include a diverse representation of stakeholders, and the commissioner is tasked with reporting annually on the benefits not charged to employers as a result of the new provisions.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 50.12.200
Bill as Passed Legislature: 50.12.200
Session Law: 50.12.200