NC H1024

Extends the three-year lookback trigger for extended unemployment benefits through December 31, 2012 (previously set to expire December 31, 2011), allowing the state to continue providing federal extended benefits under the Tax Relief Act of 2010 when unemployment thresholds are met.

Voids any executive order issued by the Governor that purports to extend unemployment insurance benefits unless expressly authorized by an act of the General Assembly or by Congress, establishing that the legislative branch controls unemployment benefit extensions.

Expands the definition of "misconduct connected with the work" for which employees can be disqualified from benefits to include specific acts such as substance abuse violations, violence, theft, falsification of documents, absenteeism policy violations, and failure to perform assigned tasks.

Reduces the time employers have to protest a claim from 30 days to 10 days from delivery of notice of claim filing and prohibits the Division from raising eligibility or disqualification issues more than 45 days after the disqualifying event.

Modifies the New Hire Directory reporting requirements to include the date services were first performed by a newly hired employee and clarifies that "newly hired" includes both employees never before employed by the employer and those separated for at least 60 consecutive days.