HF 2318 (LSB 5119YH (3) 91)

HOUSE FILE 2318

BY  CROKEN, MADISON, KURTH, WILSON, AMOS JR., BROWN-POWERS, RAMIREZ, WILBURN, and JAMES

A BILL FOR

An Act relating to eligibility for unemployment benefits for participants in strikes or other labor disputes.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  Section 96.4, subsection 3, paragraph a, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows:
   a.  The individual is able to work, is available for work, and is earnestly and actively seeking work. This subsection is waived if the individual is deemed partially unemployed, while employed at the individual’s regular job, as defined in section 96.1A, subsection 37, paragraph “b”, subparagraph (1), or temporarily unemployed as defined in section 96.1A, subsection 37, paragraph “c”.  This subsection is waived if the individual is not disqualified for benefits under section 96.5, subsection 3, paragraph “b”, subparagraph (4). The work search requirements of this subsection and the disqualification requirement for failure to apply for, or to accept, suitable work of section 96.5, subsection 3, are waived if the individual is not disqualified for benefits under section 96.5, subsection 1, paragraph “h”.
    Sec. 2.  Section 96.5, subsection 3, paragraph b, Code 2026, is amended by adding the following new subparagraph:
   NEW SUBPARAGRAPH.  (4)  Beginning on the fifteenth day of an individual’s participation in a stoppage of work resulting from a strike or other labor dispute at the factory, establishment, or other premises at which the individual is or was last employed.
    Sec. 3.  Section 96.5, subsection 4, Code 2026, is amended by striking the subsection.
EXPLANATION
The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with
the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
   This bill provides that an individual otherwise eligible for unemployment benefits shall not be denied benefits beginning on the 15th day of the individual’s participation in a stoppage of work resulting from a strike or other labor dispute at the factory, establishment, or other premises at which the individual is or was last employed. The bill provides that such an individual is not subject to work search requirements for unemployment benefits. Under current law, such an individual is disqualified for unemployment benefits with specified exceptions.