75th OREGON LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY--2009 Regular Session
NOTE: Matter within { + braces and plus signs + } in an
amended section is new. Matter within { - braces and minus
signs - } is existing law to be omitted. New sections are within
{ + braces and plus signs + } .
LC 1117
A-Engrossed
House Bill 2624
Ordered by the House May 4
Including House Amendments dated May 4
Sponsored by Representative WITT; Representatives BAILEY, BARKER,
BARNHART, BOONE, CLEM, DEMBROW, C EDWARDS, D EDWARDS, GARRETT,
GELSER, GREENLICK, HOLVEY, KAHL, MATTHEWS, NATHANSON, RILEY,
SCHAUFLER, SHIELDS, STIEGLER, THATCHER, VANORMAN, Senators
BONAMICI, BURDICK, DEVLIN, DINGFELDER, HASS, JOHNSON, METSGER,
MONNES ANDERSON, MONROE, PROZANSKI, ROSENBAUM, SCHRADER, WALKER
SUMMARY
The following summary is not prepared by the sponsors of the
measure and is not a part of the body thereof subject to
consideration by the Legislative Assembly. It is an editor's
brief statement of the essential features of the measure.
Defines 'economically distressed worker training' and '
eligible economically distressed workers' for purposes of
unemployment insurance benefits. { + Provides that eligible
economically distressed workers enrolled or participating in or
approved for economically distressed worker training may not be
denied benefits under specified circumstances. Provides that base
year employer's account may not be charged for benefits for
economically distressed worker training paid pursuant to Act.
Requires Director of Employment Department to adopt rules for
administration of Act. Requires director to submit report to
Legislative Assembly on or before March 1, 2011.
Sunsets January 2, 2012.
Takes effect on 91st day following adjournment sine die. + }
A BILL FOR AN ACT
Relating to training for unemployment insurance claimants;
creating new provisions; repealing ORS 657.337 and 657.342; and
prescribing an effective date.
Be It Enacted by the People of the State of Oregon:
SECTION 1. { + Sections 2 to 5 of this 2009 Act are added to
and made a part of ORS chapter 657. + }
SECTION 2. { + As used in sections 2 to 5 of this 2009 Act:
(1)(a) 'Economically distressed worker training' means:
(A) Training and education that provides occupation-specific
skills required in high-demand occupations, as determined by the
Director of the Employment Department; or
(B) Retraining and basic education, including literacy skills,
designed to prepare an individual, within a reasonable period not
to exceed two years, for gainful employment or self-employment
that is likely to become full-time employment that pays at least
110 percent of the minimum wage established under ORS 653.025.
(b) 'Economically distressed worker training' does not include
programs of instruction that are primarily intended to lead to a
baccalaureate or higher degree or training that prepares
individuals for employment in occupations that require a
baccalaureate or higher degree, unless approved by the director.
(2) 'Eligible economically distressed workers' means
individuals who:
(a) Are unemployed as described in ORS 657.100;
(b) Are eligible for benefits under ORS 657.150, unless
otherwise disqualified under this chapter;
(c) Are not disqualified from benefits under any provision of
ORS 657.176; and
(d) Have been employed in work paying less than 110 percent of
the minimum wage established under ORS 653.025 during their
entire base year. + }
SECTION 3. { + (1)(a) Eligible economically distressed workers
enrolled or participating in economically distressed worker
training may not be denied unemployment insurance benefits solely
because they are attending training.
(b) Eligible economically distressed workers approved for
economically distressed worker training may not be denied
unemployment insurance benefits for refusing to accept work if
the work offered:
(A) Is part-time or temporary or interferes with the eligible
economically distressed worker's training schedule; and
(B) Pays less than 110 percent of the minimum wage established
under ORS 653.025.
(2) Notwithstanding any provision of this chapter relating to
availability for work or actively seeking work, eligible
economically distressed workers who are enrolled or participating
in economically distressed worker training and who are otherwise
eligible for unemployment insurance benefits are not ineligible
for benefits or waiting week credit because of attendance in the
training. + }
SECTION 4. { + The Director of the Employment Department, in
consultation with the Department of Community Colleges and
Workforce Development, shall adopt rules necessary for the
administration of sections 2 and 3 of this 2009 Act, including,
but not limited to, procedures for approval, periodic review for
continued approval, or disapproval of economically distressed
worker training for eligible economically distressed workers. The
director shall ensure that all programs for eligible economically
distressed workers provide integrated and appropriate training
and education. + }
SECTION 5. { + A base year employer's account may not be
charged for benefits for economically distressed worker training
paid under sections 2 and 3 of this 2009 Act. However, nothing in
this section may be construed to relieve the state, reimbursing
political subdivisions, reimbursing nonprofit employers or
reimbursing Indian tribes from paying into the Unemployment
Compensation Trust Fund an amount equal to the benefits for
economically distressed worker training paid under sections 2 and
3 of this 2009 Act. + }
SECTION 6. { + Sections 2 and 3 of this 2009 Act apply to
claims for benefits filed on or after the effective date of this
2009 Act. + }
SECTION 7. { + No later than March 1, 2011, the Director of
the Employment Department shall submit to the Legislative
Assembly a report on the operation of economically distressed
worker training through January 31, 2011. + }
SECTION 8. { + ORS 657.337 and 657.342 are repealed. + }
SECTION 9. { + Sections 1 to 6 of this 2009 Act are repealed
on January 2, 2012. + }
SECTION 10. { + This 2009 Act takes effect on the 91st day
after the date on which the regular session of the Seventy-fifth
Legislative Assembly adjourns sine die. + }
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