The bill amends existing laws regarding unemployment insurance for part-time workers in Washington State, specifically addressing the definition of suitable work and eligibility for benefits. It introduces new provisions that differentiate between part-time workers based on the effective date of their claims. For claims effective before August 3, 2025, suitable work for part-time workers is defined as work for seventeen or fewer hours per week. In contrast, for claims effective on or after that date, suitable work must be for a number of hours equal to or greater than the individual's average weekly hours in their base year. Additionally, the bill clarifies that individuals who were not part-time workers in their base year cannot be denied benefits for being unavailable for full-time work under certain circumstances, such as illness or domestic violence.

The bill also revises the definition of a part-time worker, specifying that they must have earned wages in at least 40 weeks during their base year and worked no more than 17 hours per week in any of those weeks. The amendments aim to provide greater support for part-time workers seeking unemployment benefits while considering their unique circumstances and the challenges they may face in the job market. Overall, the legislation seeks to enhance the unemployment insurance system's responsiveness to the needs of part-time workers in Washington.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 50.20.119
Substitute Bill: 50.20.100, 50.20.119