UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE CHANGES/RESTORATIONS.

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View NCGA Bill Details2019-2020 Session
House Bill 713 (Public) Filed Wednesday, April 10, 2019
AN ACT AMENDING THE EMPLOYMENT SECURITY LAWS TO ELIMINATE MULTIPLE WAITING WEEKS FOR BENEFITS, THE SLIDING SCALE DURATION OF BENEFITS, AND THE THREE-HUNDRED-FIFTY-DOLLAR WEEKLY CAP ON BENEFITS; TO REESTABLISH TWENTY-SIX WEEKS OF ELIGIBILITY AND USING THE AVERAGE OF THE HIGHEST TWO QUARTERS FOR THE BENEFIT FORMULA; AND TO RESTORE BENEFITS IN CASES WHERE AN INDIVIDUAL LEAVES EMPLOYMENT FOR SPOUSAL RELOCATION OR HEALTH REASONS OR DUE TO AN UNDUE HARDSHIP.
Intro. by Richardson, Gailliard, Insko, Hawkins.

Status: Ref To Com On Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House (House action) (Apr 15 2019)

Bill History:

H 713

Bill Summaries:

  • Summary date: Apr 11 2019 - View Summary

    Amends GS 96-14.1, concerning unemployment benefit claims, to require an individual to serve a one-week waiting period during each benefit year rather than for each claim filed. Maintains that the waiting period does not apply for claims due directly to a disaster covered by a federal disaster declaration.

    Amends GS 96-14.2, concerning the weekly unemployment benefit amount. Sets the amount for an individual who is totally unemployed at an amount equal to the wages paid to the individual in the two highest quarters, rather than the last two completed quarters, of the individual's base period divided by 52 and rounded to the next lower whole dollar. Maintains ineligibility for an amount less than $15 under this calculation. Removes the weekly benefit amount maximum of $350. Instead, requires the Division of Employment Security (Division) to calculate the maximum weekly benefit amount available to an individual by August 1, calculated at 50% of the average weekly insured wage rounded, lowered to the next whole dollar if not a whole dollar, applicable to an individual whose benefit year begins on or after that date and before August 1 of the following year. 

    Amends GS 96-14.3 to set a maximum duration of benefits at 26 weeks, unless the benefit period is extended expressly by state or federal law (was, set by a table setting the number of weeks based on the adjusted unemployment rate). Makes conforming changes.

    Expands GS 96-14.8 to provide that leaving work for health reasons, undue family hardship, and spousal relocation do not disqualify an individual for unemployment benefits, in addition to the existing good causes of military spouse relocation and domestic violence. Requires an individual who leaves work solely due to a disability incurred or other health condition to show (1) that at the time of leaving an adequate disability or health condition of the employee, of a minor child who is in the legal custody of the individual, of an aged or disabled parent of the individual, or of a disabled member of the individual's immediate family, existed to justify the leaving and prevented the employee from doing other alternative work offered by the employer which pays the greater of the minimum wage or 85% of the individual regular wage, and (2) that the individual gave the employer notice of the disability or health condition at a reasonable time prior to leaving. Provides for continued eligibility for leave in an undue family hardship when an individual is unable to accept a particular shift because the individual is unable to attain childcare during the shift for a minor under 14 years who is in the legal custody of the individual or elder care during that shift for an aged or disabled parent of the individual. Provides for continued eligibility for leave due to spousal relocation when leaving work to accompany the claimant's spouse to a new place of residence where the spouse has secured work in a location that is too far removed for the claimant reasonably to continue his or her work.