MO HB986

Establishes the "Missouri Employment Work Pass Program" to help unemployed persons obtain employment and encourage small businesses to hire them.

Issues numbered work pass certificates to eligible unemployment benefit recipients, reflecting the weekly benefit amount and minimum wage requirements for participating employers.

Participating employers receive 60 percent of the work pass participant's weekly unemployment benefit in a work pass account, withdrawable upon submission of documentation including participant name, Social Security number, work verification, and proof of minimum wage payment.

Employers who lay off work pass participants before 36 weeks of employment must pay a severance fee to the state equal to 60 percent of benefits received; employers who terminate for just cause (excessive absences, insubordination, theft, poor performance, etc.) are exempt from penalties.

Intentionally submitting false information on work pass forms constitutes a class A misdemeanor; employers knowingly acquiring compensation under false pretenses face class D felony charges and/or fines up to $10,000.