MS SB2796

Establishes a Self-Employment Assistance Program (SEAP) under the Mississippi Department of Employment Security to provide allowances to individuals identified as likely to exhaust regular unemployment benefits who participate in approved self-employment activities including entrepreneurial training and business counseling.

Sets the weekly self-employment assistance allowance equal to the weekly regular benefit amount, with the combined total of SEAP allowance and regular benefits not exceeding the maximum benefit amount established under Section 71-5-507.

Exempts SEAP participants from standard unemployment requirements regarding availability for work, active job search, and work refusal, while requiring active full-time engagement in self-employment assistance activities or face disqualification.

Limits aggregate SEAP recipients to five percent (5%) of individuals receiving regular benefits and creates a nine-member SEAP Steering Committee representing business organizations, government agencies, and the Department of Employment Security to adopt program rules and certify training programs.

Makes SEAP allowances noncharged to employers for unemployment tax rate calculations and requires compliance with federal Department of Labor regulations, with the program effective for weeks beginning after July 1, 2013 or upon federal plan approval, whichever is later.