H1069 - Unemployment Insurance Law Amendments

• Establishes confidentiality protections for unemployment insurance records consistent with federal regulation 20 C.F.R. Part 603, exempting such information from public records disclosure under Chapter 132.

• Increases work search requirement from two to five job contacts with potential employers per week for claimants to maintain benefit eligibility, effective July 1, 2014.

• Changes unemployment benefit duration to be determined solely by seasonal adjusted statewide unemployment rates, with benefits ranging from 12 to 20 weeks depending on unemployment rate tier, effective July 1, 2014.

• Requires unemployment benefit claimants to present valid photo identification (driver's license, passport, military ID, or equivalent) when reporting to the Division for weekly certification.

• Authorizes the Division of Employment Security to attach or garnish credit card receipts from employers to collect unpaid employment taxes following civil court judgments under G.S. 96-10(b).

• Establishes a three-member Board of Review appointed by the Governor with confirmation by the General Assembly to hear unemployment insurance appeals independently from the Division, with staggered four-year terms and membership representing employees, employers, and the general public.