SF 2305 (LSB 6190SV (1) 88)

SENATE FILE 2305

BY  COMMITTEE ON LABOR AND BUSINESS RELATIONS

(SUCCESSOR TO SSB 3157)

A BILL FOR

An Act concerning the voluntary shared work program and including applicability provisions. 
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  Section 96.40, subsection 2, paragraph e, Code 2020, is amended to read as follows:
   e.  The reduction in hours and corresponding reduction in wages must be applied equally to all employees in the affected unit for each week reported.
    Sec. 2.  Section 96.40, Code 2020, is amended by adding the following new subsection:
   NEW SUBSECTION.  4A.  An employer may file an appeal in writing of a denial or approval of a plan or revocation of an approved plan by the department within thirty days from the date of the decision.
    Sec. 3.  Section 96.40, subsection 9, paragraph b, Code 2020, is amended to read as follows:
   b.  An employer may provide as part of the plan a training program the employees may attend during the hours that have been reduced. Such a training program may include a training program funded under the federal Workforce Investment Innovation and Opportunity Act, of 1998, Pub. L. No. 105-220 113-128. If the employer is able to show that the training program will provide a substantive increase in the workplace and employability skills of the employee so as to reduce the potential for future periods of unemployment, the department shall relieve the employer of charges for benefits paid to the individual attending training under the plan. The employee may attend the training at the work site utilizing internal resources, provided the training is outside of the normal course of employment, or in conjunction with an educational institution.
    Sec. 4.  APPLICABILITY.  This Act applies to all voluntary shared work plans approved by the department of workforce development on or after the effective date of this Act.
EXPLANATION
The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with
the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
   This bill modifies conditions for approval of a voluntary shared work plan by the department. The division provides that a reduction in hours and corresponding reduction in wages that must be applied equally to all employees in the affected unit must be applied equally for each week reported. The division also permits an employer to file an appeal in writing of a denial or approval of a plan or revocation of an approved plan by the department within 30 days from the date of the decision and replaces a reference to the federal Workforce Investment Act of 1998 with a reference to the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. These provisions apply to all voluntary shared work plans approved by the department of workforce development on or after the effective date of the bill.