Bill Introduced to Correct Abuses in Unemployment Claims Procedures

On May 27, a bill (S1968) was amended and given its second reading in the Senate. The bill seeks to revise the unemployment insurance (UI) claims procedures to address certain abuses occurring in the UI system which often result in the improper delaying or denial of UI benefits to laid off workers. Among the changes from current law, the bill would provide a waiver from repayment of claim overpayments to faultless claimants; increase the amount of time for both employers and claimants to appeal claim determinations from 7 to 20 days; and provide a detailed mechanism for the registration and regulation of authorized agents representing employers in UI claims.