Wisconsin Senate Bill SB232

Wisconsin 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 4/14/23
• Refer: 4/14/23
• Report Pass: 5/26/23
• Failed: 4/15/24

Caption

Various changes to the unemployment insurance law, federal Reemployment Services and Eligibility Assessment grants, and granting rule-making authority. (FE)

Impact

The legislation requires that claimants conduct at least four work search actions weekly, with at least two being direct contacts with potential employers starting from the third week of their benefit year. This shift is intended to encourage greater effort on the part of unemployed individuals in seeking new employment opportunities. Furthermore, if claimants are close to exhausting their benefits, they will be required to participate in reemployment counseling, further accelerating their reemployment prospects. These provisions are anticipated to have a notable impact on the dynamics of unemployment assistance in Wisconsin.

Summary

Senate Bill 232 introduces significant amendments to the unemployment insurance laws in Wisconsin, renaming the program as 'reemployment assistance' and establishing a dedicated Division of Reemployment Assistance within the Department of Workforce Development (DWD). The bill mandates updates to the requirements that claimants must meet to receive benefits, including the number of weekly work searches and the submission of resumes, aimed at facilitating faster reentry into the workforce. The changes reflect a shift towards more active state involvement in employment services and job placement for unemployed individuals.

Contention

One area of contention lies in the mandatory drug testing provisions included in the bill, which state that individuals applying for benefits may be tested for controlled substances, potentially affecting their eligibility. Critics argue that such provisions could unfairly penalize those struggling with addiction issues, while supporters maintain that they are necessary to ensure that public funds are not used to support individuals who may not be actively seeking to reenter the workforce. As DWD is also required to immediately establish appropriate rules for implementing these drug testing requirements, this aspect is likely to face scrutiny and debate as the bill moves forward.