Assigned to BI & APPROP                                                                        AS PASSED BY THE SENATE

 

 

 

ARIZONA STATE SENATE

Phoenix, Arizona

 

REVISED

FACT SHEET FOR S.B. 1058

 

unemployment insurance; eligibility

 

Purpose

 

                        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.      Requires the domestic violence be documented as a requirement for unemployment benefits.

 

3.      Provides for a general effective date.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amendments Adopted by Banking & Insurance  Committee

 

Requires the domestic violence be documented as a requirement for unemployment benefits.

 

Amendments Adopted by Appropriations Committee

 

1.      Requires the domestic violence be documented and prescribes a definition for "domestic violence".

 

2.      Retracts charges to employer accounts due to domestic violence unemployment benefit claims.

 

Senate Action

 

BI                    1/18/01            DPA    6-0-0-0

APPROPS       3/6/01              DPA    9-1-2-0

3rd Read           3/15/01            DPA    19-10-10

 

 

Prepared by Senate Staff

March 21, 2001