DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part of the
legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute part of the law
or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HB 340 Reengrossed 2023 Regular Session Romero
Abstract: Provides for a decrease in the duration of unemployment compensation benefits and
provides for extended benefits for claimants.
Present law provides that any otherwise eligible individual shall be entitled to receive unemployment
compensation benefits for 26 weeks during a 12-month period.
Present law provides that no claimant shall receive a benefit check for any week beyond the number
of weeks computed on his initial claim unless that claimant is participating in a program providing
partial unemployment or has been paid wages for part-time or full-time work.
Present law further provides that if a base period employer has provided severance pay, which when
prorated weekly is an amount which equals or exceeds the claimant's weekly benefit amount, the
claimant's benefit entitlement computed pursuant to present law shall be reduced by one week for
each week of severance pay, provided that the claimant's entitlement shall not be reduced to less than
one week.
Proposed law changes the number of weeks from 26 to 20. Proposed law otherwise retains present
law.
Proposed law provides that the maximum number of weekly benefits a claimant may be eligible for
in a benefit year shall depend on the average of the three most recently published seasonally adjusted
unemployment rates preceding the month in which the claimant files his first claim for benefits.
Proposed law provides that for all valid unemployment claims submitted, the maximum duration of
benefits available to a claimant will be based upon the average unemployment rate as determined
by the administrator (the secretary of the La. Workforce Commission (LWC)) according to the
following formula:
(1)When the average unemployment rate is 5% or less, the maximum duration of benefits shall
be limited to 12 weeks.
(2)When the average unemployment rate is greater than 5% but less than 5.5%, the maximum
duration of benefits shall be limited to 13 weeks.
(3)When the average unemployment rate is equal to or greater than 5.5% but less than 6%, the
maximum duration of benefits shall be limited to 14 weeks. (4)When the average unemployment rate is equal to or greater than 6% but less than 6.5%, the
maximum duration of benefits shall be limited to 15 weeks.
(5)When the average unemployment rate is equal to or greater than 6.5% but less than 7%, the
maximum duration of benefits shall be limited to 16 weeks.
(6)When the average unemployment rate is equal to or greater than 7% but less than 7.5%, the
maximum duration of benefits shall be limited to 17 weeks.
(7)When the average unemployment rate is equal to or greater than 7.5% but less than 8%, the
maximum duration of benefits shall be limited to 18 weeks.
(8)When the average unemployment rate is equal to or greater than 8% but less than 8.5%, the
maximum duration of benefits shall be limited to 19 weeks.
(9)When the average unemployment rate is equal to or greater than 8.5%, the maximum
duration of benefits shall be limited to 20 weeks.
Proposed law provides that, on a monthly basis, LWC shall publish on its website the maximum
number of weekly benefits a claimant may be eligible for in a benefit year, for a claimant who has
filed an initial claim for unemployment benefits in any week in that month.
Proposed law defines "eligibility period of an individual", "exhaustee", "extended benefits",
"extended benefit periods", and "regular benefits".
Proposed law provides that the weekly extended benefit amount payable to an individual for a week
of total unemployment during his eligibility period shall be an amount equal to the weekly benefit
amount determined pursuant to proposed law. Proposed law further provides that these weekly
extended benefits shall be payable to the individual during his benefit year with respect to when he
last became an exhaustee.
Proposed law provides that the individual's total extended benefit amount, with respect to any benefit
year, shall be eight times his weekly benefit amount.
Proposed law provides that an individual shall not be eligible for extended benefits if the secretary
of LWC, determines that the individual is no longer enrolled or participating in the training program
or the individual has completed the training program.
Effective Jan. 1, 2025.
(Amends R.S. 23:1595; Adds R.S. 23:1606)
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Labor and Industrial Relations to the original bill:
1. Add an effective date of Jan. 1, 2025.
2. Make technical changes.
The House Floor Amendments to the engrossed bill:
1. Make technical changes.