Bill No.: SF0090                  Drafter:  JHR

LSO No.:  09LSO-0259              Effective Date:  7/1/2009

Enrolled Act No.:  SEA0072

Chapter No.:       161

Prime Sponsor:     Senator Ross

Catch Title:       Unemployment insurance-spouse of deployed military.

Subject:   Authorizes unemployment insurance benefits for eligible spouses of deployed military personnel who have relocated as a result of the spouse's deployment.

Summary/Major Elements:

· Under current law, if the spouse of a person who is otherwise eligible for unemployment insurance benefits is deployed as a result of a military assignment on active or reserve duty and the otherwise eligible working spouse becomes unemployed as a result of such relocation of the family, the unemployed spouse who moved out-of-state would not be eligible for unemployment insurance benefits.

· This bill:

o Would allow the person who is unemployed as a result of moving with the spouse who is deployed out-of-state on a military assignment to receive unemployment insurance benefits if otherwise qualified;

o Requires the eligible spouse to register and be available for suitable work in the new state of residence;

o Specifies that the former employer's experience rating account will not be affected by such benefits;

o Repeals this provision effective July 1, 2018;

o Requires the Department of Employment to maintain records of benefits awarded under this act and to report annually to the Joint Labor, Health and Social Services Interim Committee.

Comments:

· Report required annually by December 31 regarding the benefits that are provided under this provision.

· Contains delayed repeal date: July 1, 2018.

Note:

· Final action on this bill was not taken at the time this summary was prepared.  Should changes be made to the bill upon final passage, an updated summary will be transmitted to all legislators.