SB 235

Unemployment insurance

This bill makes various changes in the unemployment insurance (UI) law,

which is administered by the Department of Workforce Development. Significant

changes include all of the following:

Identity proofing

The bill requires DWD to implement identity-proofing measures for UI

claimants who are engaging in benefit-related transactions with DWD that 1)

require a claimant to verify his or her identity prior to filing an initial claim for

benefits and when engaging in other transactions with DWD, and 2) achieve the

IAL2 and AAL2 standards adopted in the National Institute of Standards and

Technology's Digital Identity Guidelines.

Education and informational materials

Current law requires DWD to compile and provide to employers certain

information about how the UI system works, including a handbook on the UI system

for employers and information concerning the financing of the UI system that is

published on DWD's website. The bill requires DWD to also provide certain training

materials for employers and claimants on the UI system. The bill requires DWD to

publish training videos on its website and also to provide live training seminars for

employing units that are free of charge and provided on a quarterly basis.

Assistance call center

The bill requires DWD to operate a call center to assist claimants for UI benefits

or similar federal payments. Under the bill, if the volume of calls has increased by

300 percent or more over the same week during the previous year or if there is a

declared state of emergency for the state that causes or relates to an increase in UI

claims, DWD is required to increase the hours for the call center to include evening

hours after 5 p.m. and weekend hours.

Database comparisons

The bill requires DWD to perform a comparison of state and national databases

that track death records, employment records, and prison records against recipients

of UI benefits for the purposes of detecting fraud or erroneous payments. The bill

requires DWD to perform the comparison on at least a weekly basis. The bill provides

that DWD may also make such comparisons with other databases.

Other changes

Transfer of employees to DWD

The bill authorizes the secretary of administration to temporarily transfer

employees from any executive branch agency to DWD to assist in deciding UI

appeals. Under the bill, DWD must pay all salary and fringe benefit costs of that

employee during the time the employee is at DWD.