SB543 SFAT Takubo #1 3-12

Curia 7502

Senator Takubo moved to amend the bill by striking out the title and substituting therefor a new title, to read as follows:

Eng. Com. Sub. for Senate Bill 573—A BILL to amend and reenact §21A-2D-2 and §21A-2D-3 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, as contained in Chapter 273, Acts of the Legislature, Regular Session, 2021; to amend said code by adding thereto a new section, designated §21A-2D-2a; to amend said code by adding thereto a new article, designated §21A-3-1, §21A-3-2 and §21A-3-3; to amend and reenact §21A-6-1, §21A-6-3 and §21A-6-10 of said code; to amend said code by adding thereto a new section, designated §21A-6-1d; and to amend said code by adding thereto a new section, designated §21A-10-23, all relating to unemployment compensation generally; indexing unemployment benefits based on the state average unemployment rate; providing for calculating maximum benefit rate; modifying benefit table consistent with adoption of indexing; requiring Workforce West Virginia Commissioner take certain actions to verify unemployment insurance claim program integrity; requiring commissioner to review suspicious or potentially improper claims under certain circumstances; defining state average unemployment rate; limiting the maximum duration of unemployment benefits based on the state average unemployment rate; requiring Workforce West Virginia to promulgate legislative rules; establishing internal effective dates; reducing maximum benefit for each wage class; requiring work search activities to qualify for unemployment benefits; defining what constitutes work search activities; mandating submittal of proof of work search activities; providing for verification of work search activities; granting commissioner of Workforce West Virginia discretion in verification of work search activities; mandating establishment of process to refer individuals seeking unemployment benefits to job opportunities; requiring individuals receiving referrals to suitable work to apply for and accept that work; mandating employers to report refusal of offer of employment to commissioner; allowing individuals who accept part-time employment to receive unemployment benefits without reduction for wages under certain circumstances; making certain individuals applying for or receiving unemployment benefits exempt from work search requirements; establishing process for notification of work search activity requirements; authorizing the receipt of unemployment benefits by an otherwise eligible person who has left employment due to his or her employer denying his or her request for a medical or religious exemption regarding a COVID-19 vaccination requirement; establishing training and experience requirements; specifying duties; granting certain authorities necessary to conduct investigations into alleged unemployment insurance fraud; authorizing certain personnel to operate a state vehicle and carry a firearm; establishing training requirements for carrying a firearm; exempting the Unemployment Compensation Fraud Unit from the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and the Open Government Proceedings Act; and creating immunities for acts of an investigator employed by the unit.