WEST virginia legislature

2016 regular session

Committee Substitute

for

Senate Bill 643

By Senator Blair

[Originating in the Committee on the Judiciary; reported on February 28, 2016]

A BILL to amend and reenact §21A-6-1a of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to requiring individuals receiving unemployment compensation to apply for and accept seasonal employment.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:

That §21A-6-1a of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, be amended and reenacted to read as follows:

ARTICLE 6. employee eligibility; benefits.

§21A-6-1a. Seasonal employment.

An individual working less than one hundred days during his or her base period in an industry recognized as seasonal, such as food processing and canning, or during the holiday season, shall not be eligible for benefits unless he or she has earned wages during his or her base period in other covered employment equal to not less than $100. Individuals receiving unemployment compensation must seek out seasonal employment.   An individual who accepts seasonal employment for a minimum of twenty-five hours a week shall be permitted by the seasonal employer, upon written request, to engage in an active search for suitable full-time employment.  No disqualification from benefits is imposed on an individual who accepts seasonal employment.