CS/CS/HB 7005 Summary

• Reduces maximum weekly unemployment benefits to $6,325 per benefit year (from $7,150) and limits duration to 12-23 weeks based on state unemployment rate, effective January 1, 2012.

• Requires claimants to contact at least 5 prospective employers per week or attend one-stop career center and complete an initial skills review to maintain eligibility.

• Disqualifies individuals from benefits for severance pay based on amount divided by average weekly wage, and adds new misconduct definitions including chronic absenteeism and violations of employer rules.

• Eliminates paper check payments for benefits, requiring electronic payment methods instead, with limited exceptions for those already receiving paper warrants on July 1, 2011.

• Allows employers to pay quarterly contributions in installments for 2012-2014 with an annual fee not exceeding $5, and requires all unemployment compensation claims be filed electronically.