HB 590 — An Act amending the act of December 5, 1936 (2nd Sp.Sess., 1937 P.L.2897, No.1), known as the Unemployment Compensation Law, in administration of act, providing for emergency unemployment compensation assistance.

PRINTER'S NO.    598

                     THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA



                         HOUSE BILL
                         No. 590
                                               Session of
                                                 2025

     INTRODUCED BY GLEIM, HANBIDGE, JAMES AND ZIMMERMAN,
        FEBRUARY 12, 2025

     REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON LABOR AND INDUSTRY, FEBRUARY 12, 2025


                                    AN ACT
 1   Amending the act of December 5, 1936 (2nd Sp.Sess., 1937
 2      P.L.2897, No.1), entitled "An act establishing a system of
 3      unemployment compensation to be administered by the
 4      Department of Labor and Industry and its existing and newly
 5      created agencies with personnel (with certain exceptions)
 6      selected on a civil service basis; requiring employers to
 7      keep records and make reports, and certain employers to pay
 8      contributions based on payrolls to provide moneys for the
 9      payment of compensation to certain unemployed persons;
10      providing procedure and administrative details for the
11      determination, payment and collection of such contributions
12      and the payment of such compensation; providing for
13      cooperation with the Federal Government and its agencies;
14      creating certain special funds in the custody of the State
15      Treasurer; and prescribing penalties," in administration of
16      act, providing for emergency unemployment compensation
17      assistance.
18      The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
19   hereby enacts as follows:
20      Section 1.    The act of December 5, 1936 (2nd Sp.Sess., 1937
21   P.L.2897, No.1), known as the Unemployment Compensation Law, is
22   amended by adding a section to read:
23      Section 215.    Emergency Unemployment Compensation
24   Assistance.--(a)    The Governor shall hire additional employes or
25   reassign employes from other Commonwealth departments, boards or
 1   commissions, including full-time and part-time furloughed
 2   employes, in accordance with sections 501 and 502 of the act of
 3   April 9, 1929 (P.L.177, No.175), known as "The Administrative
 4   Code of 1929," for the Office of Unemployment Compensation and
 5   unemployment compensation service centers to ensure that
 6   eligible claimants are able to receive the benefits provided
 7   under this act. The department shall hire additional employes or
 8   reassign Commonwealth employes under this subsection
 9   commensurate with need, if:
10      (1)   The Commonwealth enters an extended benefit period as
11   defined by section 401-A(a).
12      (2)   A state of disaster emergency is declared or a
13   declaration is renewed under 35 Pa.C.S. § 7301(c) (relating to
14   general authority of Governor).
15      (b)   In determining whether the department needs to hire
16   additional employes or reassign Commonwealth employes, the
17   Governor, in conjunction with the secretary, shall consult with
18   all of the following:
19      (1)   The chairperson and minority chairperson of the Labor
20   and Industry Committee of the Senate.
21      (2)   The chairperson and minority chairperson of the Labor
22   and Industry Committee of the House of Representatives.
23      (c)   The department shall hire additional employes or
24   reassign Commonwealth employes under subsection (a) in a manner
25   that preserves the health and safety of the employes at the
26   Office of Unemployment Compensation and unemployment
27   compensation service centers.
28      Section 2.   This act shall take effect immediately.




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