ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Phoenix, Arizona
unemployment
insurance; waiting week
Waives the one-week waiting requirement for eligibility for unemployment benefits for individuals who are required to attend uncompensated training required by a state apprenticeship program.
Under current law, individuals seeking unemployment benefits are required to meet certain criteria, including having been unemployed for a waiting period of one week. In many situations, workers are required to receive uncompensated training as a condition to keep their employment. Many times, unions or other organizations are able to pay for the member or employee’s training but cannot afford to replace the weekly wages for that worker. Concern has been expressed that this situation creates economic hardships on these individuals and their families. S.B. 1280 waives the waiting week for these individuals to enable them to receive a week of unemployment benefits for a week of uncompensated training, for a total of up to six weeks of unemployment benefits each benefit year.
Last year a fiscal note was requested regarding a similar bill that provided for up to five weeks of benefits. According to Joint Legislative Budget Committee (JLBC) staff, there was no anticipated fiscal impact associated with that bill and JLBC believes the same holds true for S.B. 1280.
Provisions
1. Waives the required one-week waiting period for the purpose of qualifying for up to six weeks of unemployment insurance benefits if a person is required to attend uncompensated training required by a state approved apprenticeship program.
2. Specifies that an individual is considered to be unemployed and available for work by participating in uncompensated training, required to keep the person’s job.
3. Makes technical changes.
4. Provides for a general effective date.
Amendments
Adopted by Committee
· Requires the waiting week be waived only if the uncompensated training is required by a state approved apprenticeship program.
Senate Action
BI 2/14/02 DPA 5-1-0-0
APPROP 3/12/02 DP 9-1-2-0
Prepared by Senate Staff
March 15, 2002