CA AB2362

Expands unemployment insurance benefit disqualifications to include convictions under Penal Code Sections 470 (forgery), 487 (grand theft), and 550 (false claims), in addition to existing Section 2101 violations and federal mail fraud provisions.

Individuals convicted of willfully making false statements or failing to disclose material facts to obtain benefits forfeit benefits for 52 weeks (the week the complaint was filed plus 51 consecutive weeks) under Part 2, or are ineligible for 15 weeks (first eligible week plus 14 subsequent weeks) under Parts 3 and 4.

Disqualifications apply regardless of subsequent orders under Penal Code Section 1203.4 that allow withdrawal of guilty pleas or dismissal of charges, except forfeiture terminates if a Section 1203.4 order is granted before the forfeiture period expires.

Employment Development Department must suspend benefit payments effective upon the filing of a criminal complaint under the specified statutes.

State courts must report convictions under Penal Code Sections 470, 487, or 550 involving unemployment benefit fraud to the Employment Development Department.