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Senate File 309 - IntroducedA Bill ForAn Act 1relating to unemployment compensation benefits and
2department-approved training.
3BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:
1 Section 1. Section 96.4, subsection 3, Code 2019, is amended
2to read as follows:
33. The individual is able to work, is available for
4work, and is earnestly and actively seeking work. This
5subsection is waived if the individual is deemed partially
6unemployed, while employed at the individual’s regular job,
7as defined in section 96.19, subsection 38, paragraph “b”,
8subparagraph (1), or temporarily unemployed as defined in
9section 96.19, subsection 38, paragraph “c”, or participating
10in department-approved training pursuant to section 96.5A.
11 The work search requirements of this subsection and the
12disqualification requirement for failure to apply for, or
13to accept suitable work of section 96.5, subsection 3, are
14waived if the individual is not disqualified for benefits under
15section 96.5, subsection 1, paragraph “h”.
16 Sec. 2. NEW SECTION. 96.5A Department-approved training.
171. As used in this section, unless the context otherwise
18requires:
19a. “Apprenticeship program” means the same as defined in
20section 15B.2.
21b. “Postsecondary institution” means an institution of
22higher learning under the control of the state board of
23regents, a community college established under chapter 260C, or
24an accredited private institution as defined in section 261.9.
252. An individual shall be exempt from the requirements of
26being available for work and actively seeking work pursuant to
27section 96.4, subsection 3, if the individual is participating
28in department-approved training through a class at a
29postsecondary institution or through an apprenticeship program.
303. To be eligible for an exemption, an individual must apply
31to the department and provide all of the following information:
32a. The name of the postsecondary institution or the
33apprenticeship program.
34b. The course of study or the focus of the apprenticeship
35program.
-1- 1c. The start and end dates of the course of study or
2apprenticeship program.
3d. The approximate class or apprenticeship schedule.
4e. The occupation or industry for which the course of
5study or apprenticeship maintains or improves the individual’s
6skills.
74. If the exemption is approved by the department, unless
8the individual is participating in an apprenticeship program,
9the training must be completed in one hundred and four weeks
10or less.
115. If the exemption is approved by the department, an
12individual must maintain satisfactory progress in the approved
13training, and must file a weekly claim pursuant to section
1496.6, subsection 1, to receive benefits while attending the
15approved training.
166. To remain eligible for benefits after completion of
17department-approved training, an individual must be able to
18work, available for work, and actively seeking work pursuant
19to section 96.4, subsection 3.
207. The director shall adopt rules pursuant to chapter 17A as
21necessary to administer this section.
22EXPLANATION
23The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with
24the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
25This bill relates to unemployment compensation benefits and
26department-approved training.
27The bill provides that an individual who is eligible to
28receive unemployment benefits shall be granted an exemption
29from the requirements that the individual be available for work
30and actively seeking work, if the individual is participating
31in department-approved training at a postsecondary institution
32or is participating in an apprenticeship program.
33To be eligible for an exemption, an individual must apply
34to the department of workforce development and provide the
35name of the postsecondary institution or apprenticeship
-2-1program, the course of study or the focus of the apprenticeship
2program, the start date and end dates of the course of study or
3apprenticeship program, the class or apprenticeship schedule,
4and the occupation or industry for which the course of study or
5apprenticeship maintains or improves the individual’s skills.
6If an exemption is approved, an individual must maintain
7satisfactory progress in the approved training and must
8continue to file a weekly claim for benefits while attending
9the training. The training must be completed in 104 weeks
10or less, unless the individual is participating in an
11apprenticeship program. To remain eligible for unemployment
12benefits after completing training, the individual must be able
13to work, available for work, and actively seeking work.
-3-ko/tm
2department-approved training.
3BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:
1 Section 1. Section 96.4, subsection 3, Code 2019, is amended
2to read as follows:
33. The individual is able to work, is available for
4work, and is earnestly and actively seeking work. This
5subsection is waived if the individual is deemed partially
6unemployed, while employed at the individual’s regular job,
7as defined in section 96.19, subsection 38, paragraph “b”,
8subparagraph (1), or temporarily unemployed as defined in
9section 96.19, subsection 38, paragraph “c”, or participating
10in department-approved training pursuant to section 96.5A.
11 The work search requirements of this subsection and the
12disqualification requirement for failure to apply for, or
13to accept suitable work of section 96.5, subsection 3, are
14waived if the individual is not disqualified for benefits under
15section 96.5, subsection 1, paragraph “h”.
16 Sec. 2. NEW SECTION. 96.5A Department-approved training.
171. As used in this section, unless the context otherwise
18requires:
19a. “Apprenticeship program” means the same as defined in
20section 15B.2.
21b. “Postsecondary institution” means an institution of
22higher learning under the control of the state board of
23regents, a community college established under chapter 260C, or
24an accredited private institution as defined in section 261.9.
252. An individual shall be exempt from the requirements of
26being available for work and actively seeking work pursuant to
27section 96.4, subsection 3, if the individual is participating
28in department-approved training through a class at a
29postsecondary institution or through an apprenticeship program.
303. To be eligible for an exemption, an individual must apply
31to the department and provide all of the following information:
32a. The name of the postsecondary institution or the
33apprenticeship program.
34b. The course of study or the focus of the apprenticeship
35program.
-1- 1c. The start and end dates of the course of study or
2apprenticeship program.
3d. The approximate class or apprenticeship schedule.
4e. The occupation or industry for which the course of
5study or apprenticeship maintains or improves the individual’s
6skills.
74. If the exemption is approved by the department, unless
8the individual is participating in an apprenticeship program,
9the training must be completed in one hundred and four weeks
10or less.
115. If the exemption is approved by the department, an
12individual must maintain satisfactory progress in the approved
13training, and must file a weekly claim pursuant to section
1496.6, subsection 1, to receive benefits while attending the
15approved training.
166. To remain eligible for benefits after completion of
17department-approved training, an individual must be able to
18work, available for work, and actively seeking work pursuant
19to section 96.4, subsection 3.
207. The director shall adopt rules pursuant to chapter 17A as
21necessary to administer this section.
22EXPLANATION
23The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with
24the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
25This bill relates to unemployment compensation benefits and
26department-approved training.
27The bill provides that an individual who is eligible to
28receive unemployment benefits shall be granted an exemption
29from the requirements that the individual be available for work
30and actively seeking work, if the individual is participating
31in department-approved training at a postsecondary institution
32or is participating in an apprenticeship program.
33To be eligible for an exemption, an individual must apply
34to the department of workforce development and provide the
35name of the postsecondary institution or apprenticeship
-2-1program, the course of study or the focus of the apprenticeship
2program, the start date and end dates of the course of study or
3apprenticeship program, the class or apprenticeship schedule,
4and the occupation or industry for which the course of study or
5apprenticeship maintains or improves the individual’s skills.
6If an exemption is approved, an individual must maintain
7satisfactory progress in the approved training and must
8continue to file a weekly claim for benefits while attending
9the training. The training must be completed in 104 weeks
10or less, unless the individual is participating in an
11apprenticeship program. To remain eligible for unemployment
12benefits after completing training, the individual must be able
13to work, available for work, and actively seeking work.
-3-ko/tm