Bill Text: TX HB1985 | 2021-2022 | 87th Legislature | Introduced

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Bill Title: Relating to a temporary waiver of certain unemployment benefit eligibility conditions during a public health disaster.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2021-03-15 - Referred to Business & Industry [HB1985 Detail]

Download: Texas-2021-HB1985-Introduced.html

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87R2711 JSC-D
By: Thierry H.B. No. 1985

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to a temporary waiver of certain unemployment benefit
eligibility conditions during a public health disaster.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 207, Labor Code, is
amended by adding Section 207.0213 to read as follows:
Sec. 207.0213. TEMPORARY WAIVER OF CERTAIN ELIGIBILITY
CONDITIONS DURING PUBLIC HEALTH DISASTER. (a) In this section,
"public health disaster" has the meaning assigned by Section
81.003, Health and Safety Code.
(b) Notwithstanding Section 207.021, during a statewide
public health disaster, the commission shall suspend the following
eligibility conditions to authorize an individual who is otherwise
eligible to receive benefits under this subtitle to receive those
benefits:
(1) the condition imposed under Section 207.021(a)(5)
that an individual be actively seeking work; and
(2) the condition imposed under Section 207.021(a)(8)
that an individual has been totally or partially unemployed for a
waiting period.
(c) The period of a suspension imposed under Subsection (b)
begins on the date the public health disaster is declared. The
commission may reinstate the conditions described by Subsections
(b)(1) and (2) only after the public health disaster expires.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2021.