Assembly Bill 468 proposes significant changes to Wisconsin's unemployment insurance and workers' compensation laws. Notably, it repeals the current definition of "substantial fault" that renders claimants ineligible for unemployment benefits if their work is terminated due to their own substantial fault. The bill also repeals provisions related to misconduct, including excessive tardiness, and modifies how absenteeism is evaluated, ensuring that employers cannot impose their own standards for determining the reasonableness of absenteeism or tardiness. Additionally, the bill clarifies the definition of misconduct to align with common law standards and includes specific provisions regarding absenteeism and violations of employer policies.

Furthermore, the bill eliminates the requirement for a drug testing program for unemployment insurance claimants and repeals related provisions concerning preemployment drug testing. It also makes adjustments to the workers' compensation law by aligning the definition of misconduct with the changes made in the unemployment insurance law. The bill aims to streamline the administration of unemployment insurance by replacing specific appropriations with a general appropriation for the Department of Workforce Development. Overall, Assembly Bill 468 seeks to reform the eligibility criteria for unemployment benefits and the associated administrative processes.

Statutes affected:
Bill Text: 49.791(4)(f)(intro.), 49.791, 102.43(9)(e), 102.43, 108.04(5g), 108.04, 108.04(8)(a), 108.04(8)(b), 108.133, 108.14(8n)(e), 108.14, 108.141(7)(a), 108.141