HEA 1344 Summary

• Abolishes the Indiana unemployment insurance board and transfers all its powers, duties, agreements, liabilities, records, and property to the Department of Workforce Development effective April 1, 2016.

• Requires individuals receiving unemployment benefits to visit and receive orientation at a one stop center within the fourth through sixth week after benefits begin, with limited exceptions for job-attached workers, those in approved training, and those using job placement services.

• Removes language requiring the department to waive work search requirements when compliance would be "inconsistent with the purposes of this article" and clarifies circumstances for waiving job search obligations.

• Requires the Department of Workforce Development to establish mandatory training on domestic and family violence for all employees who interact with benefits claimants, including at least 6 hours of initial training and 3 hours of annual refresher training.

• Transfers reporting responsibilities from the abolished board to the department, requiring annual reports to the governor and general assembly regarding unemployment insurance system status, fund solvency recommendations, and expenditure information.