ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Phoenix, Arizona
unemployment
insurance; eligibility
Qualifies victims of domestic violence to receive unemployment insurance benefits, if they leave employment due to domestic violence.
Background
Community advocates have expressed concern that victims of domestic
violence face untenable situations regarding physical and economic
survival. In some situations,
individuals face a dilemma to either leave their job as part of escaping an
abusive relationship, or to stay in a relationship until the victim is able to
find another job. Individuals who leave
their job to escape an abusive relationship currently are ineligible to receive
unemployment benefits. Advocates feel
that individuals should not remain in an abusive and dangerous relationship
until they can find another job, but should have a safety net available.
A.R.S. §23-775 states the disqualifications for an individual seeking unemployment benefits. Under this statute an individual is disqualified from benefits if the individual “…has left work voluntarily without good cause.” There is no explicit language in A.R.S. §23-771 or A.R.S. §23-775 concerning a person’s reasons for leaving employment due to domestic violence.
There is no fiscal impact of S.B. 1058 according to Joint Legislative Budget Committee staff.
Provisions
1. Prohibits the Department of Economic Security from disqualifying an individual from receiving unemployment insurance if the individual left employment due to domestic violence.
2. Provides for a general effective date.
Prepared by Senate Staff
January 16, 2001