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Committee Advances Bill Ensuring Unemployment Eligibility for Employees in Employer Layoff Plans
Summary
The Labor and Workplace Standards Committee voted 9-0 to report out HB 2264, which clarifies that workers who volunteer for employer-initiated layoff or reduction-in-force plans may qualify for unemployment insurance if termination results from the plan.
The Labor and Workplace Standards Committee voted unanimously on Jan. 16 to report out House Bill 2264 with a "do pass" recommendation.
Vice Chair Scott moved the bill and members discussed the measure as a narrowly targeted clarification of unemployment eligibility. Committee supporters said the change is modest but important for injured or laid-off workers caught in employer-initiated reduction-in-force plans.
Staff described the bill as allowing a person to access unemployment insurance benefits when they voluntarily participate in an employer-initiated layoff or reduction-in-force plan, provided the termination results from that plan. Representative Ibarra and others said clarifying the eligibility will reduce disputes and help workers receive benefits promptly.
The committee conducted an expedited roll-call vote; staff announced the tally as 9 ayes, 0 nays, 0 excused. By that vote, HB 2264 was reported out of committee with a due-pass recommendation and will proceed in the legislative process.
No amendments were adopted during the committee's executive action. Committee members indicated the bill had bi-partisan support and that further technical work could continue as the bill proceeds.
