Two bills on unemployment insurance (UI) received testimony in the House Commerce and Economic Development Committee this week. H.55 and H.92 address eligibility and participation requirements, with some measures duplicative of preexisting or anticipated programs.
H.92 expands UI eligibility to include people who voluntarily left employment due to their own injury/illness, to escape sexual/domestic violence, to care for a child following an unexpected loss of childcare, or to care for an ill or injured family member. The Department of Labor testified that there are existing programs that already assist Vermonters who experience many of these circumstances and discussed opportunities to make these measures better known to those that need them. The significant childcare and paid family/medical leave packages are being considered this session were also discussed.
H.55 would require that nonprofit employers participate in the UI program and nonprofit reimbursable employers to provide security for the potential cost of UI benefits. An unintended consequence that would have significant cost implications to nonprofit hospitals, a point that the Vermont Chamber has raised with committee members. The bill also updates language on the supplemental benefit. It’s expected that the Vermont Department of Labor will request additional technical corrections for the sunset of the $60 supplemental benefit.
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