EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MAT TER ADDED TO EXISTIN G LAW.
[Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
Underlining indicates amendments to bill.
Strike out indicates matter stricken from the bill by amendment or deleted from the law by
amendment.
*hb0998*
HOUSE BILL 998
K2 4lr2660
CF SB 846
By: Delegates Adams and Fisher
Introduced and read first time: February 5, 2024
Assigned to: Economic Matters
Committee Report: Favorable
House action: Adopted
Read second time: March 1, 2024
CHAPTER ______
AN ACT concerning 1
Maryland Department of Labor – Unemployment Insurance – Study on Actively 2
Seeking Work Requirement s 3
FOR the purpose of requiring the Maryland Department of Labor to conduct a study on the 4
actively seeking work requirement of the unemployment insurance system in the 5
State and other states to evaluate the effects of ghosting on actively seeking work 6
requirements; and generally relating to a study on actively seeking work 7
requirements for unemployment insurance benefits. 8
SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 9
That: 10
(a) (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated. 11
(2) “Actively seeking work requirements” means the requirement 12
established under § 8–903(a)(iii) of the Labor and Employment Article to maintain 13
eligibility for unemployment insurance benefits. 14
(3) “Department” means the Maryland Department of Labor. 15
(4) “Ghost” means the failure of a claimant for unemployment insurance 16
benefits who is scheduled for a job interview with an employer to attend the interview or 17
maintain contact with the employer after the interview is scheduled. 18
2 HOUSE BILL 998
(b) The Department shall conduct a study on the actively seeking work 1
requirements of the unemployment insurance system in the State and other states to 2
evaluate the effects of ghosting on actively seeking work requirements. 3
(c) The study shall: 4
(1) examine the actively seeking work requirements of other states to 5
determine: 6
(i) the ways in which the actively seeking work requirements of 7
other states are different from those in the State; and 8
(ii) how the actively seeking work requirements of other states are 9
verified to ensure a claimant remains eligible for unemployment insurance benefits; 10
(2) determine whether the Department, using existing resources, is able to 11
perform periodic verification of the information reported by claimants to satisfy the 12
claimant’s actively seeking work requirement; 13
(3) evaluate and explain why the online BEACON system for claimants 14
and employers does not or cannot allow an employer to input information about a claimant’s 15
actively seeking work requirement, including: 16
(i) confirmation that a claimant contacted an employer for work; 17
and 18
(ii) a report of ghosting; 19
(4) determine whether it is feasible to remove requirements for employers 20
to input certain information in the BEACON system, such as a claimant’s Social Security 21
number, for purposes of reporting incidents of ghosting; and 22
(5) examine any other factors relevant to reporting ghosting or verifying 23
whether a claimant meets the actively seeking work requirement. 24
(d) On or before December 1, 2024, the Department shall report its findings and 25
recommendations to the General Assembly, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State 26
Government Article. 27
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect July 28
1, 2024. 29