HI HB2024

Establishes a temporary Self-Employment Assistance Program within the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to help unemployed individuals become self-employed and reduce dependence on unemployment insurance benefits.

Requires the Department to identify unemployed individuals likely to exhaust regular benefits and notify them of the opportunity to enroll in the Program.

Allows participants to receive benefits under the federal Emergency Unemployment Compensation Program while participating in self-employment assistance activities and actively establishing a business on a full-time basis.

Disqualifies participants who fail to participate in self-employment assistance activities or fail to actively engage in establishing a business, and establishes non-compete provisions with separating employers for a specified time period and geographic area.

Repeals the Program on June 30, 2015, and does not obligate the Department to expend funds unless specific federal or state appropriations are provided for that purpose.