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SENATE BILL NO. 240
IN THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA
THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE - SECOND SESSION
BY THE SENATE LABOR AND COMMERCE COMMITTEE
Introduced: 3/18/20
Referred: Finance
A BILL
FOR AN ACT ENTITLED
1 "An Act relating to unemployment benefits during a period of state or national
2 emergency resulting from a novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak; and
3 providing for an effective date."
4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA:
5 * Section 1. The uncodified law of the State of Alaska is amended by adding a new section
6 to read:
7 UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE: BENEFIT QUALIFICATION AND WAITING
8 WEEK DURING NOVEL CORONAVIRUS DISEASE OUTBREAK. (a) To the extent
9 consistent with federal law, an insured worker who is otherwise qualified to receive a benefit
10 under AS 23.20 (Alaska Employment Security Act) may not be disqualified for failure to
11 comply with AS 23.20.378(a) because of conduct by the insured worker or the employer of
12 the insured worker related to an outbreak of novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), including
13 conduct involving
14 (1) providing care, including medical care, to one or more persons;
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1 (2) preventing or limiting the spread of COVID-19; or
2 (3) preventing or limiting economic loss or harm.
3 (b) The protection of an insured worker under (a) of this section applies for a period
4 of 90 days beginning on the effective date of this section or the date the insured worker
5 applies for a benefit under AS 23.20, whichever is later.
6 (c) For the duration of a state or national emergency for an outbreak of novel
7 coronavirus disease (COVID-19), the limitations under AS 23.20.375(b) do not apply to
8 benefits payable to an insured worker under AS 23.20 (Alaska Employment Security Act)
9 who is otherwise entitled to receive waiting-week credit or benefits under AS 23.20.375(a).
10 (d) The provision of a benefit as permitted by this section is not a violation of
11 AS 23.20.500.
12 (e) The commissioner of labor and workforce development shall administer this
13 section as required under AS 23.20.005(b) and 23.20.095.
14 (f) In this section, "insured worker" has the meaning given in AS 23.20.520.
15 * Sec. 2. The uncodified law of the State of Alaska is amended by adding a new section to
16 read:
17 UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE: DEPENDENT ALLOWANCE DURING
18 NOVEL CORONAVIRUS DISEASE OUTBREAK. Notwithstanding AS 23.20.350(f) and to
19 the extent consistent with federal law, for the duration of a state or national emergency for an
20 outbreak of novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), the allowance for dependents of an
21 insured worker under AS 23.20 (Alaska Employment Security Act) who establishes a benefit
22 year under AS 23.20.350 is $75 per week for each dependent. The Department of Labor and
23 Workforce Development may not limit the total allowances for dependents paid to the insured
24 worker for each week of unemployment. In this section, "dependent" has the meaning given
25 in AS 23.20.350(g).
26 * Sec. 3. This Act is repealed April 1, 2021.
27 * Sec. 4. The uncodified law of the State of Alaska is amended by adding a new section to
28 read:
29 TRANSITION: REGULATIONS. The commissioner of labor and workforce
30 development may adopt regulations necessary to implement this Act. The regulations are not
31 subject to AS 44.62 (Administrative Procedure Act).
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1 * Sec. 5. This Act takes effect immediately under AS 01.10.070(c).
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Statutes affected:
SB0240A, AM SB 240, introduced 03/18/2020: 23.20.378, 23.20.375, 23.20.500, 23.20.005, 23.20.095, 23.20.520, 23.20.350