House committee advances bill to tighten work-search rules, codify employer 'ghosting' portal

A House Labor and Industrial Relations Committee vote on April 24 advanced House Bill 153, which would raise Louisiana’s required weekly work‑search actions for unemployment claimants from three to five and put the Louisiana Workforce Commission’s (LWC) employer ‘no‑show’ reporting portal into statute.

Supporters said the measure is intended to reduce instances of claimants scheduling interviews without showing up — a practice they called “ghosting” — and to help reconnect jobseekers with open positions faster. Representative Abares, the bill’s author, told the committee the change would let the LWC define “meaningful, high‑impact” work searches and clarify when a claimant may be disqualified for failing to attend interviews or to respond to an offer within an employer’s stated time frame.

“We have a growing economy and demand for workers rising,” Abares said. “Louisiana should use every tool available to promote a faster reentry to the workforce.” Tim Pugliese of FGA Action testified in support, saying the bill would preserve waivers the LWC already grants — for example for claimants in approved training or certain union activities — and would not alter the existing definition of “suitable work.”

Committee members pressed the LWC’s secretary, Susie Shaw, and assistant secretary for Unemployment Insurance, Robert Woolley, about the division of duties between statute and administrative rule. Shaw said the bill mainly changes the numeric requirement from three to five searches and gives the secretary latitude to define what counts as an acceptable work‑search activity through rules and guidance. Woolley said recent statutory changes that phased benefit durations would take time to show effects in claim numbers.

Opponents — including speakers representing workers’ and community organizations — argued the state’s weekly average benefit (which witnesses described in committee testimony as about $220) is modest and that raising the number of required searches could disproportionately affect rural claimants or those who recently lost higher‑paying jobs and face few nearby opportunities. Testimony and committee discussion emphasized that the employer reporting portal already exists as an administrative tool; the bill would make that portal permanent by statute.

Committee debate also addressed the portal’s operation. Shaw explained the portal is voluntary for employers, that the LWC first verifies whether a named person is receiving unemployment benefits, and that investigators contact the claimant to get their side (for example, to confirm illness or another reasonable excuse). Data presented in committee showed roughly 3,500 reports submitted through the portal last year, with 31 resulting in disqualification after investigation.

After extended public and member discussion, Representative Tarver moved to report the bill favorably. Representative Larvadain objected and the committee took a roll call. The committee reported the bill favorably by voice/roll call (vote tally recorded in the committee minutes).

If enacted, the bill would do three main things: raise the numeric weekly work‑search requirement to five; require the LWC to maintain the employer reporting portal by statute; and authorize the secretary to define acceptable work‑search activities by rule and regulation. The bill does not remove existing LWC authority to waive work‑search requirements in particular circumstances nor does it change the statutory definition of “suitable work.”

Committee action: the committee reported HB 153 favorably (roll‑call recorded in transcript; tally reported to committee). The measure will next move to the full House calendar for further consideration.