HB 1278 Summary

• Redefines "benefit year" as 52 consecutive weeks beginning when an individual files a new valid unemployment claim, or 53 weeks if filing would overlap a previous claim's base year quarter.

• Defines "week" as a period of seven consecutive calendar days from Sunday through Saturday midnight, replacing the prior discretionary department definition.

• Simplifies partial unemployment claims filing procedures to match the same requirements as total or part-total unemployment benefits.

• Provides a 50 percent credit against contributions owed by reimbursable employers for benefits charged during March 15, 2020 to March 20, 2021 that were not directly caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Sets employer contribution rate at Schedule D for calendar years 2021 and 2022, and requires the director to omit COVID-19 pandemic-related benefits from experience rating calculations for those years; effective retroactive to January 1, 2021.