HSB 655 (LSB 5399YC (1) 90)

HOUSE FILE _____ 

BY  (PROPOSED COMMITTEE ON LABOR AND WORKFORCE BILL BY CHAIRPERSON DEYOE)

A BILL FOR

An Act relating to claims for unemployment insurance benefits and including effective date provisions.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  Section 96.4, Code 2024, is amended by adding the following new subsection:
   NEW SUBSECTION.  8.  a.  For each week, the individual has performed a minimum of four work search activities and documented and reported each activity to the department. One of the activities shall be verifiable in real time by the department.
   b.  At least three of the four work search activities for the purposes of this subsection shall consist of one of the following:
   (1)  Applying for a potential job opening by submitting a resume or application through any of the following means:
   (a)  Online.
   (b)  In person.
   (c)  Electronic mail.
   (d)  Facsimile.
   (e)  Mail.
   (2)  Completing a civil service exam.
   c.  Additional work search activities for the purposes of this subsection consist of any of the following:
   (1)  If the individual is a veteran as defined in section 35.1, submitting a resume to the state’s home base Iowa program.
   (2)  Registering with a placement facility of a school or college.
   (3)  Interviewing for a job either virtually, in person, or at a job fair.
   (4)  Attending an employment workshop organized or approved by the department, which may include completing an online or in-person job search workshop, job club, or job search networking meeting.
   (5)  Attending a job fair sponsored or approved by the department.
   (6)  Attending a scheduled career networking meeting with the department.
   (7)  With the assistance and guidance of the department, completing a reemployment plan, which may include completing career direction research or work such as a job search plan or a targeted employer list.
   (8)  Participating in job search counseling with a department career planner.
   (9)  Attending an appointment with a core program partner authorized by the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, Pub. L. No. 113-128.
   (10)  Participating in online or in-person mock interviews organized or approved by the department.
    Sec. 2.  NEW SECTION.  96.33  Verification of claimant identity.
   1.  When a claimant makes a claim for benefits, the department shall verify the identity of the claimant before payment of benefits to the claimant.
   2.  The department shall use multi-factor authentication to verify the identity of any claimant submitting a claim for benefits through an internet site or online portal used by the department for the purpose of accepting claims for benefits.
   3.  The department shall verify the identity of a claimant, as required by subsections 1 and 2, at least once per benefit year.
    Sec. 3.  EFFECTIVE DATE.  This Act takes effect January 1, 2025.
EXPLANATION
The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with
the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
   This bill relates to claims for unemployment insurance benefits.
   The bill requires an individual to perform a minimum of four work search activities, and document and report each activity to the department of workforce development, each week in order to be eligible for unemployment benefits for the week. The bill specifies work search activities that satisfy these requirements.
   The bill requires the department to verify the identity of a claimant before payment of unemployment benefits to the claimant. The bill also requires the department to use multi-factor authentication to verify the identity of any claimant submitting a claim for benefits through an internet site or online portal. These verifications are required at least once per benefit year.
   The bill takes effect January 1, 2025.