Michigan 2023-2024 Regular Session

Michigan Senate Bill SB0975 Compare Versions

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1-Act No. 239 Public Acts of 2024 Approved by the Governor January 17, 2025 Filed with the Secretary of State January 17, 2025 EFFECTIVE DATE: April 2, 2025 state of michigan 102nd Legislature Regular session of 2024 Introduced by Senator Singh ENROLLED SENATE BILL No. 975 AN ACT to amend 1936 (Ex Sess) PA 1, entitled An act to protect the welfare of the people of this state through the establishment of an unemployment compensation fund, and to provide for the disbursement thereof; to create certain other funds; to create the Michigan employment security commission, and to prescribe its powers and duties; to provide for the protection of the people of this state from the hazards of unemployment; to levy and provide for contributions from employers; to levy and provide for obligation assessments; to provide for the collection of those contributions and assessments; to enter into reciprocal agreements and to cooperate with agencies of the United States and of other states charged with the administration of any unemployment insurance law; to furnish certain information to certain governmental agencies for use in administering public benefit and child support programs and investigating and prosecuting fraud; to provide for the payment of benefits; to provide for appeals from redeterminations, decisions and notices of assessments; and for referees and a board of review to hear and decide the issues arising from redeterminations, decisions and notices of assessment; to provide for the cooperation of this state and compliance with the provisions of the social security act and the Wagner‑Peyser act passed by the Congress of the United States of America; to provide for the establishment and maintenance of free public employment offices; to provide for the transfer of funds; to make appropriations for carrying out the provisions of this act; to prescribe remedies and penalties for the violation of this act; and to repeal all acts and parts of acts inconsistent with this act, by amending section 29 (MCL 421.29), as amended by 2020 PA 258. The People of the State of Michigan enact: Sec. 29. (1) Except as provided in subsection (5), an individual is disqualified from receiving benefits if the individual: (a) Left work voluntarily without good cause attributable to the employer or employing unit. An individual who left work is presumed to have left work voluntarily without good cause attributable to the employer or employing unit. An individual who reduces the individuals working status to less than full-time employment is rebuttably presumed to have voluntarily left work without good cause attributable to the employer. An individual who is absent from work for a period of 3 consecutive work days or more without contacting the employer is rebuttably presumed to have voluntarily left work without good cause attributable to the employer. An individual who becomes unemployed as a result of negligently losing a requirement for the job of which the individual was informed at the time of hire is considered to have voluntarily left work without good cause attributable to the employer. An individual claiming benefits under this act has the burden of proof to establish that the individual left work involuntarily or for good cause that was attributable to the employer or employing unit. An individual claiming to have left work involuntarily for medical reasons must have done all of the following before the leaving: secured a statement from a medical professional that continuing in the individuals current job would be harmful to the individuals physical or mental health, unsuccessfully attempted to secure alternative work with the employer, and unsuccessfully attempted to be placed on a leave of absence with the employer to last until the individuals mental or physical health would no longer be harmed by the current job. Notwithstanding any other provision of this act, with respect to claims for weeks beginning before April 1, 2021, an individual is considered to have left work involuntarily for medical reasons if the individual leaves work to self-isolate or self-quarantine in response to elevated risk from COVID-19 because the individual is immunocompromised, displayed a commonly recognized principal symptom of COVID-19 that was not otherwise associated with a known medical or physical condition of the individual, had contact in the last 14 days with an individual with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19, needed to care for an individual with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19, or had a family care responsibility that was the result of a government directive regarding COVID-19. Notwithstanding any other provision of this act, with respect to claims for weeks beginning before April 1, 2021, the unemployment agency may consider an individual laid off if the individual became unemployed to self-isolate or self-quarantine in response to elevated risk from COVID-19 because the individual is immunocompromised, displayed a commonly recognized principal symptom of COVID-19 that was not otherwise associated with a known medical or physical condition of the individual, had contact in the last 14 days with an individual with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19, needed to care for an individual with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19, or had a family care responsibility that was the result of a government directive regarding COVID-19. However, if any of the following conditions are met, the leaving does not disqualify the individual: (i) The individual has an established benefit year in effect and during that benefit year leaves unsuitable work within 60 days after the beginning of that work. Benefits paid after a leaving under this subparagraph must not be charged to the experience account of the employer the individual left, but must be charged instead to the nonchargeable benefits account. (ii) The individual is the spouse of a full-time member of the United States Armed Forces, and the leaving is due to the military duty reassignment of that member of the United States Armed Forces to a different geographic location. Benefits paid after a leaving under this subparagraph must not be charged to the experience account of the employer the individual left, but must be charged instead to the nonchargeable benefits account. (iii) The individual is concurrently working part-time for an employer or employing unit and for another employer or employing unit and voluntarily leaves the part-time work while continuing work with the other employer. The portion of the benefits paid in accordance with this subparagraph that would otherwise be charged to the experience account of the part-time employer that the individual left must not be charged to the account of that employer but must be charged instead to the nonchargeable benefits account. (iv) The individual is a victim of domestic violence who meets the requirements in section 29a. Benefits paid after a leaving under this subparagraph must not be charged to the experience account of the employer the individual left, but must be charged instead to the nonchargeable benefits account. This subparagraph applies beginning on the effective date of the amendatory act that added this sentence. (b) Was suspended or discharged for misconduct connected with the individuals work or for intoxication while at work. (c) Failed without good cause to apply diligently for available suitable work after receiving notice from the unemployment agency of the availability of that work or failed to apply for work with employers that could reasonably be expected to have suitable work available. (d) Failed without good cause while unemployed to report to the individuals former employer or employing unit within a reasonable time after that employer or employing unit provided notice of the availability of an interview concerning available suitable work with the former employer or employing unit. (e) Failed without good cause to accept suitable work offered to the individual or to return to the individuals customary self-employment, if any, when directed by the employment office or the unemployment agency. An employer that receives a monetary determination under section 32 may notify the unemployment agency regarding the availability of suitable work with the employer on the monetary determination or other form provided by the unemployment agency. On receipt of the notice of the availability of suitable work, the unemployment agency shall notify the claimant of the availability of suitable work. (f) Lost the individuals job due to absence from work resulting from a violation of law for which the individual was convicted and sentenced to jail or prison. This subdivision does not apply if conviction of an individual results in a sentence to county jail under conditions of day parole as provided in 1962 PA 60, MCL 801.251 to 801.258, or if the conviction was for a traffic violation that resulted in an absence of less than 10 consecutive work days from the individuals place of employment. (g) Is discharged, whether or not the discharge is subsequently reduced to a disciplinary layoff or suspension, for participation in either of the following: (i) A strike or other concerted action in violation of an applicable collective bargaining agreement that results in curtailment of work or restriction of or interference with production. (ii) A wildcat strike or other concerted action not authorized by the individuals recognized bargaining representative. (h) Was discharged for an act of assault and battery connected with the individuals work. (i) Was discharged for theft connected with the individuals work. (j) Was discharged for willful destruction of property connected with the individuals work. (k) Committed a theft after receiving notice of a layoff or discharge, but before the effective date of the layoff or discharge, resulting in loss or damage to the employer who would otherwise be chargeable for the benefits, regardless of whether the individual qualified for the benefits before the theft. (l) Was employed by a temporary help firm, which as used in this section means an employer whose primary business is to provide a client with the temporary services of 1 or more individuals under contract with the employer, to perform services for a client of that firm if each of the following conditions is met: (i) The temporary help firm provided the employee with a written notice before the employee began performing services for the client stating in substance both of the following: (A) That not more than 7 days after completing services for a client of the temporary help firm, the employee is under a duty to notify the temporary help firm of the completion of those services. (B) That a failure to provide the temporary help firm with notice of the employees completion of services pursuant to sub-subparagraph (A) constitutes a voluntary quit that will affect the employees eligibility for unemployment compensation if the employee seeks unemployment compensation following completion of those services. (ii) The employee did not provide the temporary help firm with notice that the employee had completed the employees services for the client not later than 7 days after completion of the employees services for the client. (m) Was discharged for illegally ingesting, injecting, inhaling, or possessing a controlled substance on the premises of the employer; refusing to submit to a drug test that was required to be administered in a nondiscriminatory manner; or testing positive on a drug test, if the test was administered in a nondiscriminatory manner. If the worker disputes the result of the testing, and if a generally accepted confirmatory test has not been administered on the same sample previously tested, then a generally accepted confirmatory test must be administered on that sample. If the confirmatory test also indicates a positive result for the presence of a controlled substance, the worker who is discharged as a result of the test result will be disqualified under this subdivision. A report by a drug testing facility showing a positive result for the presence of a controlled substance is conclusive unless there is substantial evidence to the contrary. As used in this subdivision: (i) Controlled substance means that term as defined in section 7104 of the public health code, 1978 PA 368, MCL 333.7104. (ii) Drug test means a test designed to detect the illegal use of a controlled substance. (iii) Nondiscriminatory manner means administered impartially and objectively in accordance with a collective bargaining agreement, rule, policy, a verbal or written notice, or a labor-management contract. (n) Theft from the employer that resulted in the employees conviction, within 2 years of the date of the discharge, of theft or a lesser included offense. (2) A disqualification under subsection (1) begins the week in which the act or discharge that caused the disqualification occurs and continues until the disqualified individual requalifies under subsection (3). (3) After the week in which the disqualifying act or discharge described in subsection (1) occurs, an individual who seeks to requalify for benefits is subject to all of the following: (a) For benefit years established before October 1, 2000, the individual must complete 6 requalifying weeks if the individual was disqualified under subsection (1)(c), (d), (e), (f), (g), or (l), or 13 requalifying weeks if the individual was disqualified under subsection (1)(h), (i), (j), (k), or (m). A requalifying week required under this subdivision is each week in which the individual does any of the following: (i) Earns or receives remuneration in an amount at least equal to an amount needed to earn a credit week, as that term is defined in section 50. (ii) Otherwise meets all of the requirements of this act to receive a benefit payment if the individual were not disqualified under subsection (1). (iii) Receives a benefit payment based on credit weeks subsequent to the disqualifying act or discharge. (b) For benefit years established before October 1, 2000, if the individual is disqualified under subsection (1)(a) or (b), the individual must requalify, after the week in which the disqualifying discharge occurred by earning in employment for an employer liable under this act or the unemployment compensation act of another state an amount equal to, or in excess of, 7 times the individuals potential weekly benefit rate, calculated on the basis of employment with the employer involved in the disqualification, or by earning in employment for an employer liable under this act or the unemployment compensation act of another state an amount equal to, or in excess of, 40 times the state minimum hourly wage times 7, whichever is the lesser amount. (c) For benefit years established before October 1, 2000, a benefit payable to an individual disqualified under subsection (1)(a) or (b) must be charged to the nonchargeable benefits account, and not to the account of the employer with whom the individual was involved in the disqualification. (d) For benefit years beginning on or after October 1, 2000, after the week in which the disqualifying act or discharge occurred, an individual must complete 13 requalifying weeks if the individual was disqualified under subsection (1)(c), (d), (e), (f), (g), or (l), or 26 requalifying weeks if the individual was disqualified under subsection (1)(h), (i), (j), (k), (m), or (n). A requalifying week required under this subdivision is each week in which the individual does any of the following: (i) Earns or receives remuneration in an amount equal to at least 1/13 of the minimum amount needed in a calendar quarter of the base period for an individual to qualify for benefits, rounded down to the nearest whole dollar. (ii) Otherwise meets all of the requirements of this act to receive a benefit payment if the individual was not disqualified under subsection (1). (e) For benefit years beginning on or after October 1, 2000 and beginning before April 26, 2002, if the individual is disqualified under subsection (1)(a) or (b), the individual must requalify, after the week in which the disqualifying act or discharge occurred by earning in employment for an employer liable under this act or the unemployment compensation law of another state at least the lesser of the following: (i) Seven times the individuals weekly benefit rate. (ii) Forty times the state minimum hourly wage times 7. (f) For benefit years beginning on or after April 26, 2002, if the individual is disqualified under subsection (1)(a), the individual must requalify, after the week in which the disqualifying act or discharge occurred by earning in employment for an employer liable under this act or the unemployment compensation law of another state at least 12 times the individuals weekly benefit rate. (g) For benefit years beginning on or after April 26, 2002, if the individual is disqualified under subsection (1)(b), the individual must requalify, after the week in which the disqualifying act or discharge occurred by earning in employment for an employer liable under this act or the unemployment compensation law of another state at least 17 times the individuals weekly benefit rate. (h) A benefit payable to the individual disqualified or separated under disqualifying circumstances under subsection (1)(a) or (b) must be charged to the nonchargeable benefits account, and not to the account of the employer with whom the individual was involved in the separation. Benefits payable to an individual determined by the unemployment agency to be separated under disqualifying circumstances must not be charged to the account of the employer involved in the disqualification for any period after the employer notifies the unemployment agency of the claimants possible ineligibility or disqualification. However, an individual filing a new claim for benefits who reports the reason for separation from a base period employer as a voluntary leaving is presumed to have voluntarily left without good cause attributable to the employer and is disqualified unless the individual provides substantial evidence to rebut the presumption. If a disqualifying act or discharge occurs during the individuals benefit year, any benefits that may become payable to the individual in a later benefit year based on employment with the employer involved in the disqualification must be charged to the nonchargeable benefits account. (4) The maximum amount of benefits otherwise available under section 27(d) to an individual disqualified under subsection (1) is subject to all of the following conditions: (a) For benefit years established before October 1, 2000, if the individual is disqualified under subsection (1)(c), (d), (e), (f), (g), or (l) and the maximum amount of benefits is based on wages and credit weeks earned from an employer before an act or discharge involving that employer, the amount must be reduced by an amount equal to the individuals weekly benefit rate as to that employer multiplied by the lesser of either of the following: (i) The number of requalifying weeks required of the individual under this section. (ii) The number of weeks of benefit entitlement remaining with that employer. (b) If the individual has insufficient or no potential benefit entitlement remaining with the employer involved in the disqualification in the benefit year in existence on the date of the disqualifying determination, a reduction of benefits described in this subsection applies in a succeeding benefit year with respect to any benefit entitlement based on credit weeks earned with the employer before the disqualifying act or discharge. (c) For benefit years established before October 1, 2000, an individual disqualified under subsection (1)(h), (i), (j), (k), or (m) is not entitled to benefits based on wages and credit weeks earned before the disqualifying act or discharge with the employer involved in the disqualification. (d) The benefit entitlement of an individual disqualified under subsection (1)(a) or (b) is not subject to reduction as a result of that disqualification. (e) A denial or reduction of benefits under this subsection does not apply to benefits based on multiemployer credit weeks. (f) For benefit years established on or after October 1, 2000, if the individual is disqualified under subsection (1)(c), (d), (e), (f), (g), or (l), the maximum number of weeks otherwise applicable in calculating benefits for the individual under section 27(d) must be reduced by the lesser of the following: (i) The number of requalifying weeks required of the individual under this section. (ii) The number of weeks of benefit entitlement remaining on the claim. (g) For benefit years beginning on or after October 1, 2000, the benefits of an individual disqualified under subsection (1)(h), (i), (j), (k), (m), or (n) must be reduced by 13 weeks and any weekly benefit payments made to the claimant thereafter must be reduced by the portion of the payment attributable to base period wages paid by the base period employer involved in a disqualification under subsection (1)(h), (i), (j), (k), (m), or (n). (5) Subject to subsection (11), if an individual leaves work to accept permanent full-time work with another employer or to accept a referral to another employer from the individuals union hiring hall and performs services for that employer, or if an individual leaves work to accept a recall from a former employer, all of the following apply: (a) Subsection (1) does not apply. (b) Wages earned with the employer whom the individual last left, including wages previously transferred under this subsection to the last employer, for the purpose of computing and charging benefits, are wages earned from the employer with whom the individual accepted work or recall, and benefits paid based upon those wages must be charged to that employer. (c) When issuing a determination covering the period of employment with a new or former employer described in this subsection, the unemployment agency shall advise the chargeable employer of the name and address of the other employer, the period covered by the employment, and the extent of the benefits that may be charged to the account of the chargeable employer. (6) In determining whether work is suitable for an individual, the unemployment agency shall consider the degree of risk involved to the individuals health, safety, and morals, the individuals physical fitness and prior training, the individuals length of unemployment and prospects for securing local work in the individuals customary occupation, and the distance of the available work from the individuals residence. Additionally, the unemployment agency shall consider the individuals experience and prior earnings, but an unemployed individual who refuses an offer of work determined to be suitable under this section must be denied benefits if the pay rate for that work is at least 70% of the gross pay rate the unemployed individual received immediately before becoming unemployed. Beginning January 15, 2012, after an individual has received benefits for 50% of the benefit weeks in the individuals benefit year, work is not considered unsuitable because it is outside of the individuals training or experience or unsuitable as to pay rate if the pay rate for that work meets or exceeds the minimum wage; is at least the prevailing mean wage for similar work in the locality for the most recent full calendar year for which data are available as published by the department of technology, management, and budget as wages by job title, by standard metropolitan statistical area; and is 120% or more of the individuals weekly benefit amount. (7) Work is not suitable and benefits must not be denied under this act to an otherwise eligible individual for refusing to accept new work under any of the following conditions: (a) If the position offered is vacant due directly to a strike, lockout, or other labor dispute. (b) If the remuneration, hours, or other conditions of the work offered are substantially less favorable to the individual than those prevailing for similar work in the locality. (c) If as a condition of being employed, the individual would be required to join a company union or to resign from or refrain from joining a bona fide labor organization. (8) All of the following apply to an individual who seeks benefits under this act: (a) An individual is disqualified from receiving benefits for a week in which the individuals total or partial unemployment is due to either of the following: (i) A labor dispute in active progress at the place at which the individual is or was last employed, or a shutdown or start-up operation caused by that labor dispute. (ii) A labor dispute, other than a lockout, in active progress or a shutdown or start-up operation caused by that labor dispute in any other establishment within the United States that is both functionally integrated with the establishment described in subparagraph (i) and operated by the same employing unit. (b) An individuals disqualification imposed or imposable under this subsection is terminated if the individual performs services in employment with an employer in at least 2 consecutive weeks falling wholly within the period of the individuals total or partial unemployment due to the labor dispute, and in addition earns wages in each of those weeks in an amount equal to or greater than the individuals actual or potential weekly benefit rate. (c) An individual is not disqualified under this subsection if the individual is not directly involved in the labor dispute. An individual is not directly involved in a labor dispute unless any of the following are established: (i) At the time or in the course of a labor dispute in the establishment in which the individual was then employed, the individual in concert with 1 or more other employees voluntarily stopped working other than at the direction of the individuals employing unit. (ii) The individual is participating in, financing, or directly interested in the labor dispute that causes the individuals total or partial unemployment. The payment of regular union dues, in amounts and for purposes established before the inception of the labor dispute, is not financing a labor dispute within the meaning of this subparagraph. (iii) At any time a labor dispute in the establishment or department in which the individual was employed does not exist, and the individual voluntarily stops working, other than at the direction of the individuals employing unit, in sympathy with employees in some other establishment or department in which a labor dispute is in progress. (iv) The individuals total or partial unemployment is due to a labor dispute that was or is in progress in a department, unit, or group of workers in the same establishment. (d) As used in this subsection, directly interested must be construed and applied so as not to disqualify individuals unemployed as a result of a labor dispute the resolution of which may not reasonably be expected to affect their wages, hours, or other conditions of employment, and to disqualify individuals whose wages, hours, or conditions of employment may reasonably be expected to be affected by the resolution of the labor dispute. A reasonable expectation of an effect on an individuals wages, hours, or other conditions of employment exists, in the absence of a substantial preponderance of evidence to the contrary, in any of the following situations: (i) If it is established that there is in the particular establishment or employing unit a practice, custom, or contractual obligation to extend within a reasonable period to members of the individuals grade or class of workers in the establishment in which the individual is or was last employed changes in terms and conditions of employment that are substantially similar or related to some or all of the changes in terms and conditions of employment that are made for the workers among whom there exists the labor dispute that has caused the individuals total or partial unemployment. (ii) If it is established that l of the issues in or purposes of the labor dispute is to obtain a change in the terms and conditions of employment for members of the individuals grade or class of workers in the establishment in which the individual is or was last employed. (iii) If a collective bargaining agreement covers both the individuals grade or class of workers in the establishment in which the individual is or was last employed and the workers in another establishment of the same employing unit who are actively participating in the labor dispute, and that collective bargaining agreement is subject by its terms to modification, supplementation, or replacement, or has expired or been opened by mutual consent at the time of the labor dispute. (e) In determining the scope of the grade or class of workers, evidence of the following is relevant: (i) Representation of the workers by the same national or international organization or by local affiliates of that national or international organization. (ii) Whether the workers are included in a single, legally designated, or negotiated bargaining unit. (iii) Whether the workers are or within the past 6 months have been covered by a common master collective bargaining agreement that sets forth all or any part of the terms and conditions of the workers employment, or by separate agreements that are or have been bargained as a part of the same negotiations. (iv) Any functional integration of the work performed by those workers. (v) Whether the resolution of those issues involved in the labor dispute as to some of the workers could directly or indirectly affect the advancement, negotiation, or settlement of the same or similar issues in respect to the remaining workers. (vi) Whether the workers are currently or have been covered by the same or similar demands by their recognized or certified bargaining agent or agents for changes in their wages, hours, or other conditions of employment. (vii) Whether issues on the same subject matter as those involved in the labor dispute have been the subject of proposals or demands made upon the employing unit that would by their terms have applied to those workers. (9) Notwithstanding subsections (1) to (8), if the employing unit submits notice to the unemployment agency of possible ineligibility or disqualification beyond the time limits prescribed by unemployment agency rule and the unemployment agency concludes that benefits should not have been paid, the claimant shall repay the benefits paid during the entire period of ineligibility or disqualification. The unemployment agency shall not charge interest on repayments required under this subsection. (10) An individual is disqualified from receiving benefits for any week or part of a week in which the individual has received, is receiving, or is seeking unemployment benefits under an unemployment compensation law of another state or of the United States. If the appropriate agency of the other state or of the United States finally determines that the individual is not entitled to unemployment benefits, the disqualification described in this subsection does not apply. (11) Beginning on May 1, 2020, and until October 20, 2020, if an individual leaves work to accept permanent full-time work with another employer, the individual is considered to have met the requirements of subsection (5) regardless of whether the individual actually performed services for the other employer or whether the work was permanent full-time work. Benefits payable to the individual must be charged to the nonchargeable benefits account. Enacting section 1. This amendatory act does not take effect unless Senate Bill No. 40 of the 102nd Legislature is enacted into law. Secretary of the Senate Clerk of the House of Representatives Approved___________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ Governor
1+state of michigan 102nd Legislature Regular session of 2024 Introduced by Senator Singh ENROLLED SENATE BILL No. 975 AN ACT to amend 1936 (Ex Sess) PA 1, entitled An act to protect the welfare of the people of this state through the establishment of an unemployment compensation fund, and to provide for the disbursement thereof; to create certain other funds; to create the Michigan employment security commission, and to prescribe its powers and duties; to provide for the protection of the people of this state from the hazards of unemployment; to levy and provide for contributions from employers; to levy and provide for obligation assessments; to provide for the collection of those contributions and assessments; to enter into reciprocal agreements and to cooperate with agencies of the United States and of other states charged with the administration of any unemployment insurance law; to furnish certain information to certain governmental agencies for use in administering public benefit and child support programs and investigating and prosecuting fraud; to provide for the payment of benefits; to provide for appeals from redeterminations, decisions and notices of assessments; and for referees and a board of review to hear and decide the issues arising from redeterminations, decisions and notices of assessment; to provide for the cooperation of this state and compliance with the provisions of the social security act and the Wagner‑Peyser act passed by the Congress of the United States of America; to provide for the establishment and maintenance of free public employment offices; to provide for the transfer of funds; to make appropriations for carrying out the provisions of this act; to prescribe remedies and penalties for the violation of this act; and to repeal all acts and parts of acts inconsistent with this act, by amending section 29 (MCL 421.29), as amended by 2020 PA 258. The People of the State of Michigan enact: Sec. 29. (1) Except as provided in subsection (5), an individual is disqualified from receiving benefits if the individual: (a) Left work voluntarily without good cause attributable to the employer or employing unit. An individual who left work is presumed to have left work voluntarily without good cause attributable to the employer or employing unit. An individual who reduces the individuals working status to less than full-time employment is rebuttably presumed to have voluntarily left work without good cause attributable to the employer. An individual who is absent from work for a period of 3 consecutive work days or more without contacting the employer is rebuttably presumed to have voluntarily left work without good cause attributable to the employer. An individual who becomes unemployed as a result of negligently losing a requirement for the job of which the individual was informed at the time of hire is considered to have voluntarily left work without good cause attributable to the employer. An individual claiming benefits under this act has the burden of proof to establish that the individual left work involuntarily or for good cause that was attributable to the employer or employing unit. An individual claiming to have left work involuntarily for medical reasons must have done all of the following before the leaving: secured a statement from a medical professional that continuing in the individuals current job would be harmful to the individuals physical or mental health, unsuccessfully attempted to secure alternative work with the employer, and unsuccessfully attempted to be placed on a leave of absence with the employer to last until the individuals mental or physical health would no longer be harmed by the current job. Notwithstanding any other provision of this act, with respect to claims for weeks beginning before April 1, 2021, an individual is considered to have left work involuntarily for medical reasons if the individual leaves work to self-isolate or self-quarantine in response to elevated risk from COVID-19 because the individual is immunocompromised, displayed a commonly recognized principal symptom of COVID-19 that was not otherwise associated with a known medical or physical condition of the individual, had contact in the last 14 days with an individual with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19, needed to care for an individual with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19, or had a family care responsibility that was the result of a government directive regarding COVID-19. Notwithstanding any other provision of this act, with respect to claims for weeks beginning before April 1, 2021, the unemployment agency may consider an individual laid off if the individual became unemployed to self-isolate or self-quarantine in response to elevated risk from COVID-19 because the individual is immunocompromised, displayed a commonly recognized principal symptom of COVID-19 that was not otherwise associated with a known medical or physical condition of the individual, had contact in the last 14 days with an individual with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19, needed to care for an individual with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19, or had a family care responsibility that was the result of a government directive regarding COVID-19. However, if any of the following conditions are met, the leaving does not disqualify the individual: (i) The individual has an established benefit year in effect and during that benefit year leaves unsuitable work within 60 days after the beginning of that work. Benefits paid after a leaving under this subparagraph must not be charged to the experience account of the employer the individual left, but must be charged instead to the nonchargeable benefits account. (ii) The individual is the spouse of a full-time member of the United States Armed Forces, and the leaving is due to the military duty reassignment of that member of the United States Armed Forces to a different geographic location. Benefits paid after a leaving under this subparagraph must not be charged to the experience account of the employer the individual left, but must be charged instead to the nonchargeable benefits account. (iii) The individual is concurrently working part-time for an employer or employing unit and for another employer or employing unit and voluntarily leaves the part-time work while continuing work with the other employer. The portion of the benefits paid in accordance with this subparagraph that would otherwise be charged to the experience account of the part-time employer that the individual left must not be charged to the account of that employer but must be charged instead to the nonchargeable benefits account. (iv) The individual is a victim of domestic violence who meets the requirements in section 29a. Benefits paid after a leaving under this subparagraph must not be charged to the experience account of the employer the individual left, but must be charged instead to the nonchargeable benefits account. This subparagraph applies beginning on the effective date of the amendatory act that added this sentence. (b) Was suspended or discharged for misconduct connected with the individuals work or for intoxication while at work. (c) Failed without good cause to apply diligently for available suitable work after receiving notice from the unemployment agency of the availability of that work or failed to apply for work with employers that could reasonably be expected to have suitable work available. (d) Failed without good cause while unemployed to report to the individuals former employer or employing unit within a reasonable time after that employer or employing unit provided notice of the availability of an interview concerning available suitable work with the former employer or employing unit. (e) Failed without good cause to accept suitable work offered to the individual or to return to the individuals customary self-employment, if any, when directed by the employment office or the unemployment agency. An employer that receives a monetary determination under section 32 may notify the unemployment agency regarding the availability of suitable work with the employer on the monetary determination or other form provided by the unemployment agency. On receipt of the notice of the availability of suitable work, the unemployment agency shall notify the claimant of the availability of suitable work. (f) Lost the individuals job due to absence from work resulting from a violation of law for which the individual was convicted and sentenced to jail or prison. This subdivision does not apply if conviction of an individual results in a sentence to county jail under conditions of day parole as provided in 1962 PA 60, MCL 801.251 to 801.258, or if the conviction was for a traffic violation that resulted in an absence of less than 10 consecutive work days from the individuals place of employment. (g) Is discharged, whether or not the discharge is subsequently reduced to a disciplinary layoff or suspension, for participation in either of the following: (i) A strike or other concerted action in violation of an applicable collective bargaining agreement that results in curtailment of work or restriction of or interference with production. (ii) A wildcat strike or other concerted action not authorized by the individuals recognized bargaining representative. (h) Was discharged for an act of assault and battery connected with the individuals work. (i) Was discharged for theft connected with the individuals work. (j) Was discharged for willful destruction of property connected with the individuals work. (k) Committed a theft after receiving notice of a layoff or discharge, but before the effective date of the layoff or discharge, resulting in loss or damage to the employer who would otherwise be chargeable for the benefits, regardless of whether the individual qualified for the benefits before the theft. (l) Was employed by a temporary help firm, which as used in this section means an employer whose primary business is to provide a client with the temporary services of 1 or more individuals under contract with the employer, to perform services for a client of that firm if each of the following conditions is met: (i) The temporary help firm provided the employee with a written notice before the employee began performing services for the client stating in substance both of the following: (A) That not more than 7 days after completing services for a client of the temporary help firm, the employee is under a duty to notify the temporary help firm of the completion of those services. (B) That a failure to provide the temporary help firm with notice of the employees completion of services pursuant to sub-subparagraph (A) constitutes a voluntary quit that will affect the employees eligibility for unemployment compensation if the employee seeks unemployment compensation following completion of those services. (ii) The employee did not provide the temporary help firm with notice that the employee had completed the employees services for the client not later than 7 days after completion of the employees services for the client. (m) Was discharged for illegally ingesting, injecting, inhaling, or possessing a controlled substance on the premises of the employer; refusing to submit to a drug test that was required to be administered in a nondiscriminatory manner; or testing positive on a drug test, if the test was administered in a nondiscriminatory manner. If the worker disputes the result of the testing, and if a generally accepted confirmatory test has not been administered on the same sample previously tested, then a generally accepted confirmatory test must be administered on that sample. If the confirmatory test also indicates a positive result for the presence of a controlled substance, the worker who is discharged as a result of the test result will be disqualified under this subdivision. A report by a drug testing facility showing a positive result for the presence of a controlled substance is conclusive unless there is substantial evidence to the contrary. As used in this subdivision: (i) Controlled substance means that term as defined in section 7104 of the public health code, 1978 PA 368, MCL 333.7104. (ii) Drug test means a test designed to detect the illegal use of a controlled substance. (iii) Nondiscriminatory manner means administered impartially and objectively in accordance with a collective bargaining agreement, rule, policy, a verbal or written notice, or a labor-management contract. (n) Theft from the employer that resulted in the employees conviction, within 2 years of the date of the discharge, of theft or a lesser included offense. (2) A disqualification under subsection (1) begins the week in which the act or discharge that caused the disqualification occurs and continues until the disqualified individual requalifies under subsection (3). (3) After the week in which the disqualifying act or discharge described in subsection (1) occurs, an individual who seeks to requalify for benefits is subject to all of the following: (a) For benefit years established before October 1, 2000, the individual must complete 6 requalifying weeks if the individual was disqualified under subsection (1)(c), (d), (e), (f), (g), or (l), or 13 requalifying weeks if the individual was disqualified under subsection (1)(h), (i), (j), (k), or (m). A requalifying week required under this subdivision is each week in which the individual does any of the following: (i) Earns or receives remuneration in an amount at least equal to an amount needed to earn a credit week, as that term is defined in section 50. (ii) Otherwise meets all of the requirements of this act to receive a benefit payment if the individual were not disqualified under subsection (1). (iii) Receives a benefit payment based on credit weeks subsequent to the disqualifying act or discharge. (b) For benefit years established before October 1, 2000, if the individual is disqualified under subsection (1)(a) or (b), the individual must requalify, after the week in which the disqualifying discharge occurred by earning in employment for an employer liable under this act or the unemployment compensation act of another state an amount equal to, or in excess of, 7 times the individuals potential weekly benefit rate, calculated on the basis of employment with the employer involved in the disqualification, or by earning in employment for an employer liable under this act or the unemployment compensation act of another state an amount equal to, or in excess of, 40 times the state minimum hourly wage times 7, whichever is the lesser amount. (c) For benefit years established before October 1, 2000, a benefit payable to an individual disqualified under subsection (1)(a) or (b) must be charged to the nonchargeable benefits account, and not to the account of the employer with whom the individual was involved in the disqualification. (d) For benefit years beginning on or after October 1, 2000, after the week in which the disqualifying act or discharge occurred, an individual must complete 13 requalifying weeks if the individual was disqualified under subsection (1)(c), (d), (e), (f), (g), or (l), or 26 requalifying weeks if the individual was disqualified under subsection (1)(h), (i), (j), (k), (m), or (n). A requalifying week required under this subdivision is each week in which the individual does any of the following: (i) Earns or receives remuneration in an amount equal to at least 1/13 of the minimum amount needed in a calendar quarter of the base period for an individual to qualify for benefits, rounded down to the nearest whole dollar. (ii) Otherwise meets all of the requirements of this act to receive a benefit payment if the individual was not disqualified under subsection (1). (e) For benefit years beginning on or after October 1, 2000 and beginning before April 26, 2002, if the individual is disqualified under subsection (1)(a) or (b), the individual must requalify, after the week in which the disqualifying act or discharge occurred by earning in employment for an employer liable under this act or the unemployment compensation law of another state at least the lesser of the following: (i) Seven times the individuals weekly benefit rate. (ii) Forty times the state minimum hourly wage times 7. (f) For benefit years beginning on or after April 26, 2002, if the individual is disqualified under subsection (1)(a), the individual must requalify, after the week in which the disqualifying act or discharge occurred by earning in employment for an employer liable under this act or the unemployment compensation law of another state at least 12 times the individuals weekly benefit rate. (g) For benefit years beginning on or after April 26, 2002, if the individual is disqualified under subsection (1)(b), the individual must requalify, after the week in which the disqualifying act or discharge occurred by earning in employment for an employer liable under this act or the unemployment compensation law of another state at least 17 times the individuals weekly benefit rate. (h) A benefit payable to the individual disqualified or separated under disqualifying circumstances under subsection (1)(a) or (b) must be charged to the nonchargeable benefits account, and not to the account of the employer with whom the individual was involved in the separation. Benefits payable to an individual determined by the unemployment agency to be separated under disqualifying circumstances must not be charged to the account of the employer involved in the disqualification for any period after the employer notifies the unemployment agency of the claimants possible ineligibility or disqualification. However, an individual filing a new claim for benefits who reports the reason for separation from a base period employer as a voluntary leaving is presumed to have voluntarily left without good cause attributable to the employer and is disqualified unless the individual provides substantial evidence to rebut the presumption. If a disqualifying act or discharge occurs during the individuals benefit year, any benefits that may become payable to the individual in a later benefit year based on employment with the employer involved in the disqualification must be charged to the nonchargeable benefits account. (4) The maximum amount of benefits otherwise available under section 27(d) to an individual disqualified under subsection (1) is subject to all of the following conditions: (a) For benefit years established before October 1, 2000, if the individual is disqualified under subsection (1)(c), (d), (e), (f), (g), or (l) and the maximum amount of benefits is based on wages and credit weeks earned from an employer before an act or discharge involving that employer, the amount must be reduced by an amount equal to the individuals weekly benefit rate as to that employer multiplied by the lesser of either of the following: (i) The number of requalifying weeks required of the individual under this section. (ii) The number of weeks of benefit entitlement remaining with that employer. (b) If the individual has insufficient or no potential benefit entitlement remaining with the employer involved in the disqualification in the benefit year in existence on the date of the disqualifying determination, a reduction of benefits described in this subsection applies in a succeeding benefit year with respect to any benefit entitlement based on credit weeks earned with the employer before the disqualifying act or discharge. (c) For benefit years established before October 1, 2000, an individual disqualified under subsection (1)(h), (i), (j), (k), or (m) is not entitled to benefits based on wages and credit weeks earned before the disqualifying act or discharge with the employer involved in the disqualification. (d) The benefit entitlement of an individual disqualified under subsection (1)(a) or (b) is not subject to reduction as a result of that disqualification. (e) A denial or reduction of benefits under this subsection does not apply to benefits based on multiemployer credit weeks. (f) For benefit years established on or after October 1, 2000, if the individual is disqualified under subsection (1)(c), (d), (e), (f), (g), or (l), the maximum number of weeks otherwise applicable in calculating benefits for the individual under section 27(d) must be reduced by the lesser of the following: (i) The number of requalifying weeks required of the individual under this section. (ii) The number of weeks of benefit entitlement remaining on the claim. (g) For benefit years beginning on or after October 1, 2000, the benefits of an individual disqualified under subsection (1)(h), (i), (j), (k), (m), or (n) must be reduced by 13 weeks and any weekly benefit payments made to the claimant thereafter must be reduced by the portion of the payment attributable to base period wages paid by the base period employer involved in a disqualification under subsection (1)(h), (i), (j), (k), (m), or (n). (5) Subject to subsection (11), if an individual leaves work to accept permanent full-time work with another employer or to accept a referral to another employer from the individuals union hiring hall and performs services for that employer, or if an individual leaves work to accept a recall from a former employer, all of the following apply: (a) Subsection (1) does not apply. (b) Wages earned with the employer whom the individual last left, including wages previously transferred under this subsection to the last employer, for the purpose of computing and charging benefits, are wages earned from the employer with whom the individual accepted work or recall, and benefits paid based upon those wages must be charged to that employer. (c) When issuing a determination covering the period of employment with a new or former employer described in this subsection, the unemployment agency shall advise the chargeable employer of the name and address of the other employer, the period covered by the employment, and the extent of the benefits that may be charged to the account of the chargeable employer. (6) In determining whether work is suitable for an individual, the unemployment agency shall consider the degree of risk involved to the individuals health, safety, and morals, the individuals physical fitness and prior training, the individuals length of unemployment and prospects for securing local work in the individuals customary occupation, and the distance of the available work from the individuals residence. Additionally, the unemployment agency shall consider the individuals experience and prior earnings, but an unemployed individual who refuses an offer of work determined to be suitable under this section must be denied benefits if the pay rate for that work is at least 70% of the gross pay rate the unemployed individual received immediately before becoming unemployed. Beginning January 15, 2012, after an individual has received benefits for 50% of the benefit weeks in the individuals benefit year, work is not considered unsuitable because it is outside of the individuals training or experience or unsuitable as to pay rate if the pay rate for that work meets or exceeds the minimum wage; is at least the prevailing mean wage for similar work in the locality for the most recent full calendar year for which data are available as published by the department of technology, management, and budget as wages by job title, by standard metropolitan statistical area; and is 120% or more of the individuals weekly benefit amount. (7) Work is not suitable and benefits must not be denied under this act to an otherwise eligible individual for refusing to accept new work under any of the following conditions: (a) If the position offered is vacant due directly to a strike, lockout, or other labor dispute. (b) If the remuneration, hours, or other conditions of the work offered are substantially less favorable to the individual than those prevailing for similar work in the locality. (c) If as a condition of being employed, the individual would be required to join a company union or to resign from or refrain from joining a bona fide labor organization. (8) All of the following apply to an individual who seeks benefits under this act: (a) An individual is disqualified from receiving benefits for a week in which the individuals total or partial unemployment is due to either of the following: (i) A labor dispute in active progress at the place at which the individual is or was last employed, or a shutdown or start-up operation caused by that labor dispute. (ii) A labor dispute, other than a lockout, in active progress or a shutdown or start-up operation caused by that labor dispute in any other establishment within the United States that is both functionally integrated with the establishment described in subparagraph (i) and operated by the same employing unit. (b) An individuals disqualification imposed or imposable under this subsection is terminated if the individual performs services in employment with an employer in at least 2 consecutive weeks falling wholly within the period of the individuals total or partial unemployment due to the labor dispute, and in addition earns wages in each of those weeks in an amount equal to or greater than the individuals actual or potential weekly benefit rate. (c) An individual is not disqualified under this subsection if the individual is not directly involved in the labor dispute. An individual is not directly involved in a labor dispute unless any of the following are established: (i) At the time or in the course of a labor dispute in the establishment in which the individual was then employed, the individual in concert with 1 or more other employees voluntarily stopped working other than at the direction of the individuals employing unit. (ii) The individual is participating in, financing, or directly interested in the labor dispute that causes the individuals total or partial unemployment. The payment of regular union dues, in amounts and for purposes established before the inception of the labor dispute, is not financing a labor dispute within the meaning of this subparagraph. (iii) At any time a labor dispute in the establishment or department in which the individual was employed does not exist, and the individual voluntarily stops working, other than at the direction of the individuals employing unit, in sympathy with employees in some other establishment or department in which a labor dispute is in progress. (iv) The individuals total or partial unemployment is due to a labor dispute that was or is in progress in a department, unit, or group of workers in the same establishment. (d) As used in this subsection, directly interested must be construed and applied so as not to disqualify individuals unemployed as a result of a labor dispute the resolution of which may not reasonably be expected to affect their wages, hours, or other conditions of employment, and to disqualify individuals whose wages, hours, or conditions of employment may reasonably be expected to be affected by the resolution of the labor dispute. A reasonable expectation of an effect on an individuals wages, hours, or other conditions of employment exists, in the absence of a substantial preponderance of evidence to the contrary, in any of the following situations: (i) If it is established that there is in the particular establishment or employing unit a practice, custom, or contractual obligation to extend within a reasonable period to members of the individuals grade or class of workers in the establishment in which the individual is or was last employed changes in terms and conditions of employment that are substantially similar or related to some or all of the changes in terms and conditions of employment that are made for the workers among whom there exists the labor dispute that has caused the individuals total or partial unemployment. (ii) If it is established that l of the issues in or purposes of the labor dispute is to obtain a change in the terms and conditions of employment for members of the individuals grade or class of workers in the establishment in which the individual is or was last employed. (iii) If a collective bargaining agreement covers both the individuals grade or class of workers in the establishment in which the individual is or was last employed and the workers in another establishment of the same employing unit who are actively participating in the labor dispute, and that collective bargaining agreement is subject by its terms to modification, supplementation, or replacement, or has expired or been opened by mutual consent at the time of the labor dispute. (e) In determining the scope of the grade or class of workers, evidence of the following is relevant: (i) Representation of the workers by the same national or international organization or by local affiliates of that national or international organization. (ii) Whether the workers are included in a single, legally designated, or negotiated bargaining unit. (iii) Whether the workers are or within the past 6 months have been covered by a common master collective bargaining agreement that sets forth all or any part of the terms and conditions of the workers employment, or by separate agreements that are or have been bargained as a part of the same negotiations. (iv) Any functional integration of the work performed by those workers. (v) Whether the resolution of those issues involved in the labor dispute as to some of the workers could directly or indirectly affect the advancement, negotiation, or settlement of the same or similar issues in respect to the remaining workers. (vi) Whether the workers are currently or have been covered by the same or similar demands by their recognized or certified bargaining agent or agents for changes in their wages, hours, or other conditions of employment. (vii) Whether issues on the same subject matter as those involved in the labor dispute have been the subject of proposals or demands made upon the employing unit that would by their terms have applied to those workers. (9) Notwithstanding subsections (1) to (8), if the employing unit submits notice to the unemployment agency of possible ineligibility or disqualification beyond the time limits prescribed by unemployment agency rule and the unemployment agency concludes that benefits should not have been paid, the claimant shall repay the benefits paid during the entire period of ineligibility or disqualification. The unemployment agency shall not charge interest on repayments required under this subsection. (10) An individual is disqualified from receiving benefits for any week or part of a week in which the individual has received, is receiving, or is seeking unemployment benefits under an unemployment compensation law of another state or of the United States. If the appropriate agency of the other state or of the United States finally determines that the individual is not entitled to unemployment benefits, the disqualification described in this subsection does not apply. (11) Beginning on May 1, 2020, and until October 20, 2020, if an individual leaves work to accept permanent full-time work with another employer, the individual is considered to have met the requirements of subsection (5) regardless of whether the individual actually performed services for the other employer or whether the work was permanent full-time work. Benefits payable to the individual must be charged to the nonchargeable benefits account. Enacting section 1. This amendatory act does not take effect unless Senate Bill No. 40 of the 102nd Legislature is enacted into law. Secretary of the Senate Clerk of the House of Representatives Approved___________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ Governor
22
3-Act No. 239
43
5-Public Acts of 2024
64
7-Approved by the Governor
85
9-January 17, 2025
106
11-Filed with the Secretary of State
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13-January 17, 2025
148
15-EFFECTIVE DATE: April 2, 2025
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1614
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1917 state of michigan
2018
2119 102nd Legislature
2220
2321 Regular session of 2024
2422
2523 Introduced by Senator Singh
2624
2725 ENROLLED SENATE BILL No. 975
2826
2927 AN ACT to amend 1936 (Ex Sess) PA 1, entitled An act to protect the welfare of the people of this state through the establishment of an unemployment compensation fund, and to provide for the disbursement thereof; to create certain other funds; to create the Michigan employment security commission, and to prescribe its powers and duties; to provide for the protection of the people of this state from the hazards of unemployment; to levy and provide for contributions from employers; to levy and provide for obligation assessments; to provide for the collection of those contributions and assessments; to enter into reciprocal agreements and to cooperate with agencies of the United States and of other states charged with the administration of any unemployment insurance law; to furnish certain information to certain governmental agencies for use in administering public benefit and child support programs and investigating and prosecuting fraud; to provide for the payment of benefits; to provide for appeals from redeterminations, decisions and notices of assessments; and for referees and a board of review to hear and decide the issues arising from redeterminations, decisions and notices of assessment; to provide for the cooperation of this state and compliance with the provisions of the social security act and the Wagner‑Peyser act passed by the Congress of the United States of America; to provide for the establishment and maintenance of free public employment offices; to provide for the transfer of funds; to make appropriations for carrying out the provisions of this act; to prescribe remedies and penalties for the violation of this act; and to repeal all acts and parts of acts inconsistent with this act, by amending section 29 (MCL 421.29), as amended by 2020 PA 258.
3028
3129 The People of the State of Michigan enact:
3230
3331 Sec. 29. (1) Except as provided in subsection (5), an individual is disqualified from receiving benefits if the individual:
3432
3533 (a) Left work voluntarily without good cause attributable to the employer or employing unit. An individual who left work is presumed to have left work voluntarily without good cause attributable to the employer or employing unit. An individual who reduces the individuals working status to less than full-time employment is rebuttably presumed to have voluntarily left work without good cause attributable to the employer. An individual who is absent from work for a period of 3 consecutive work days or more without contacting the employer is rebuttably presumed to have voluntarily left work without good cause attributable to the employer. An individual who becomes unemployed as a result of negligently losing a requirement for the job of which the individual was informed at the time of hire is considered to have voluntarily left work without good cause attributable to the employer. An individual claiming benefits under this act has the burden of proof to establish that the individual left work involuntarily or for good cause that was attributable to the employer or employing unit. An individual claiming to have left work involuntarily for medical reasons must have done all of the following before the leaving: secured a statement from a medical professional that continuing in the individuals current job would be harmful to the individuals physical or mental health, unsuccessfully attempted to secure alternative work with the employer, and unsuccessfully attempted to be placed on a leave of absence with the employer to last until the individuals mental or physical health would no longer be harmed by the current job. Notwithstanding any other provision of this act, with respect to claims for weeks beginning before April 1, 2021, an individual is considered to have left work involuntarily for medical reasons if the individual leaves work to self-isolate or self-quarantine in response to elevated risk from COVID-19 because the individual is immunocompromised, displayed a commonly recognized principal symptom of COVID-19 that was not otherwise associated with a known medical or physical condition of the individual, had contact in the last 14 days with an individual with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19, needed to care for an individual with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19, or had a family care responsibility that was the result of a government directive regarding COVID-19. Notwithstanding any other provision of this act, with respect to claims for weeks beginning before April 1, 2021, the unemployment agency may consider an individual laid off if the individual became unemployed to self-isolate or self-quarantine in response to elevated risk from COVID-19 because the individual is immunocompromised, displayed a commonly recognized principal symptom of COVID-19 that was not otherwise associated with a known medical or physical condition of the individual, had contact in the last 14 days with an individual with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19, needed to care for an individual with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19, or had a family care responsibility that was the result of a government directive regarding COVID-19. However, if any of the following conditions are met, the leaving does not disqualify the individual:
3634
3735 (i) The individual has an established benefit year in effect and during that benefit year leaves unsuitable work within 60 days after the beginning of that work. Benefits paid after a leaving under this subparagraph must not be charged to the experience account of the employer the individual left, but must be charged instead to the nonchargeable benefits account.
3836
3937 (ii) The individual is the spouse of a full-time member of the United States Armed Forces, and the leaving is due to the military duty reassignment of that member of the United States Armed Forces to a different geographic location. Benefits paid after a leaving under this subparagraph must not be charged to the experience account of the employer the individual left, but must be charged instead to the nonchargeable benefits account.
4038
4139 (iii) The individual is concurrently working part-time for an employer or employing unit and for another employer or employing unit and voluntarily leaves the part-time work while continuing work with the other employer. The portion of the benefits paid in accordance with this subparagraph that would otherwise be charged to the experience account of the part-time employer that the individual left must not be charged to the account of that employer but must be charged instead to the nonchargeable benefits account.
4240
4341 (iv) The individual is a victim of domestic violence who meets the requirements in section 29a. Benefits paid after a leaving under this subparagraph must not be charged to the experience account of the employer the individual left, but must be charged instead to the nonchargeable benefits account. This subparagraph applies beginning on the effective date of the amendatory act that added this sentence.
4442
4543 (b) Was suspended or discharged for misconduct connected with the individuals work or for intoxication while at work.
4644
4745 (c) Failed without good cause to apply diligently for available suitable work after receiving notice from the unemployment agency of the availability of that work or failed to apply for work with employers that could reasonably be expected to have suitable work available.
4846
4947 (d) Failed without good cause while unemployed to report to the individuals former employer or employing unit within a reasonable time after that employer or employing unit provided notice of the availability of an interview concerning available suitable work with the former employer or employing unit.
5048
5149 (e) Failed without good cause to accept suitable work offered to the individual or to return to the individuals customary self-employment, if any, when directed by the employment office or the unemployment agency. An employer that receives a monetary determination under section 32 may notify the unemployment agency regarding the availability of suitable work with the employer on the monetary determination or other form provided by the unemployment agency. On receipt of the notice of the availability of suitable work, the unemployment agency shall notify the claimant of the availability of suitable work.
5250
5351 (f) Lost the individuals job due to absence from work resulting from a violation of law for which the individual was convicted and sentenced to jail or prison. This subdivision does not apply if conviction of an individual results in a sentence to county jail under conditions of day parole as provided in 1962 PA 60, MCL 801.251 to 801.258, or if the conviction was for a traffic violation that resulted in an absence of less than 10 consecutive work days from the individuals place of employment.
5452
5553 (g) Is discharged, whether or not the discharge is subsequently reduced to a disciplinary layoff or suspension, for participation in either of the following:
5654
5755 (i) A strike or other concerted action in violation of an applicable collective bargaining agreement that results in curtailment of work or restriction of or interference with production.
5856
5957 (ii) A wildcat strike or other concerted action not authorized by the individuals recognized bargaining representative.
6058
6159 (h) Was discharged for an act of assault and battery connected with the individuals work.
6260
6361 (i) Was discharged for theft connected with the individuals work.
6462
6563 (j) Was discharged for willful destruction of property connected with the individuals work.
6664
6765 (k) Committed a theft after receiving notice of a layoff or discharge, but before the effective date of the layoff or discharge, resulting in loss or damage to the employer who would otherwise be chargeable for the benefits, regardless of whether the individual qualified for the benefits before the theft.
6866
6967 (l) Was employed by a temporary help firm, which as used in this section means an employer whose primary business is to provide a client with the temporary services of 1 or more individuals under contract with the employer, to perform services for a client of that firm if each of the following conditions is met:
7068
7169 (i) The temporary help firm provided the employee with a written notice before the employee began performing services for the client stating in substance both of the following:
7270
7371 (A) That not more than 7 days after completing services for a client of the temporary help firm, the employee is under a duty to notify the temporary help firm of the completion of those services.
7472
7573 (B) That a failure to provide the temporary help firm with notice of the employees completion of services pursuant to sub-subparagraph (A) constitutes a voluntary quit that will affect the employees eligibility for unemployment compensation if the employee seeks unemployment compensation following completion of those services.
7674
7775 (ii) The employee did not provide the temporary help firm with notice that the employee had completed the employees services for the client not later than 7 days after completion of the employees services for the client.
7876
7977 (m) Was discharged for illegally ingesting, injecting, inhaling, or possessing a controlled substance on the premises of the employer; refusing to submit to a drug test that was required to be administered in a nondiscriminatory manner; or testing positive on a drug test, if the test was administered in a nondiscriminatory manner. If the worker disputes the result of the testing, and if a generally accepted confirmatory test has not been administered on the same sample previously tested, then a generally accepted confirmatory test must be administered on that sample. If the confirmatory test also indicates a positive result for the presence of a controlled substance, the worker who is discharged as a result of the test result will be disqualified under this subdivision. A report by a drug testing facility showing a positive result for the presence of a controlled substance is conclusive unless there is substantial evidence to the contrary. As used in this subdivision:
8078
8179 (i) Controlled substance means that term as defined in section 7104 of the public health code, 1978 PA 368, MCL 333.7104.
8280
8381 (ii) Drug test means a test designed to detect the illegal use of a controlled substance.
8482
8583 (iii) Nondiscriminatory manner means administered impartially and objectively in accordance with a collective bargaining agreement, rule, policy, a verbal or written notice, or a labor-management contract.
8684
8785 (n) Theft from the employer that resulted in the employees conviction, within 2 years of the date of the discharge, of theft or a lesser included offense.
8886
8987 (2) A disqualification under subsection (1) begins the week in which the act or discharge that caused the disqualification occurs and continues until the disqualified individual requalifies under subsection (3).
9088
9189 (3) After the week in which the disqualifying act or discharge described in subsection (1) occurs, an individual who seeks to requalify for benefits is subject to all of the following:
9290
9391 (a) For benefit years established before October 1, 2000, the individual must complete 6 requalifying weeks if the individual was disqualified under subsection (1)(c), (d), (e), (f), (g), or (l), or 13 requalifying weeks if the individual was disqualified under subsection (1)(h), (i), (j), (k), or (m). A requalifying week required under this subdivision is each week in which the individual does any of the following:
9492
9593 (i) Earns or receives remuneration in an amount at least equal to an amount needed to earn a credit week, as that term is defined in section 50.
9694
9795 (ii) Otherwise meets all of the requirements of this act to receive a benefit payment if the individual were not disqualified under subsection (1).
9896
9997 (iii) Receives a benefit payment based on credit weeks subsequent to the disqualifying act or discharge.
10098
10199 (b) For benefit years established before October 1, 2000, if the individual is disqualified under subsection (1)(a) or (b), the individual must requalify, after the week in which the disqualifying discharge occurred by earning in employment for an employer liable under this act or the unemployment compensation act of another state an amount equal to, or in excess of, 7 times the individuals potential weekly benefit rate, calculated on the basis of employment with the employer involved in the disqualification, or by earning in employment for an employer liable under this act or the unemployment compensation act of another state an amount equal to, or in excess of, 40 times the state minimum hourly wage times 7, whichever is the lesser amount.
102100
103101 (c) For benefit years established before October 1, 2000, a benefit payable to an individual disqualified under subsection (1)(a) or (b) must be charged to the nonchargeable benefits account, and not to the account of the employer with whom the individual was involved in the disqualification.
104102
105103 (d) For benefit years beginning on or after October 1, 2000, after the week in which the disqualifying act or discharge occurred, an individual must complete 13 requalifying weeks if the individual was disqualified under subsection (1)(c), (d), (e), (f), (g), or (l), or 26 requalifying weeks if the individual was disqualified under subsection (1)(h), (i), (j), (k), (m), or (n). A requalifying week required under this subdivision is each week in which the individual does any of the following:
106104
107105 (i) Earns or receives remuneration in an amount equal to at least 1/13 of the minimum amount needed in a calendar quarter of the base period for an individual to qualify for benefits, rounded down to the nearest whole dollar.
108106
109107 (ii) Otherwise meets all of the requirements of this act to receive a benefit payment if the individual was not disqualified under subsection (1).
110108
111109 (e) For benefit years beginning on or after October 1, 2000 and beginning before April 26, 2002, if the individual is disqualified under subsection (1)(a) or (b), the individual must requalify, after the week in which the disqualifying act or discharge occurred by earning in employment for an employer liable under this act or the unemployment compensation law of another state at least the lesser of the following:
112110
113111 (i) Seven times the individuals weekly benefit rate.
114112
115113 (ii) Forty times the state minimum hourly wage times 7.
116114
117115 (f) For benefit years beginning on or after April 26, 2002, if the individual is disqualified under subsection (1)(a), the individual must requalify, after the week in which the disqualifying act or discharge occurred by earning in employment for an employer liable under this act or the unemployment compensation law of another state at least 12 times the individuals weekly benefit rate.
118116
119117 (g) For benefit years beginning on or after April 26, 2002, if the individual is disqualified under subsection (1)(b), the individual must requalify, after the week in which the disqualifying act or discharge occurred by earning in employment for an employer liable under this act or the unemployment compensation law of another state at least 17 times the individuals weekly benefit rate.
120118
121119 (h) A benefit payable to the individual disqualified or separated under disqualifying circumstances under subsection (1)(a) or (b) must be charged to the nonchargeable benefits account, and not to the account of the employer with whom the individual was involved in the separation. Benefits payable to an individual determined by the unemployment agency to be separated under disqualifying circumstances must not be charged to the account of the employer involved in the disqualification for any period after the employer notifies the unemployment agency of the claimants possible ineligibility or disqualification. However, an individual filing a new claim for benefits who reports the reason for separation from a base period employer as a voluntary leaving is presumed to have voluntarily left without good cause attributable to the employer and is disqualified unless the individual provides substantial evidence to rebut the presumption. If a disqualifying act or discharge occurs during the individuals benefit year, any benefits that may become payable to the individual in a later benefit year based on employment with the employer involved in the disqualification must be charged to the nonchargeable benefits account.
122120
123121 (4) The maximum amount of benefits otherwise available under section 27(d) to an individual disqualified under subsection (1) is subject to all of the following conditions:
124122
125123 (a) For benefit years established before October 1, 2000, if the individual is disqualified under subsection (1)(c), (d), (e), (f), (g), or (l) and the maximum amount of benefits is based on wages and credit weeks earned from an employer before an act or discharge involving that employer, the amount must be reduced by an amount equal to the individuals weekly benefit rate as to that employer multiplied by the lesser of either of the following:
126124
127125 (i) The number of requalifying weeks required of the individual under this section.
128126
129127 (ii) The number of weeks of benefit entitlement remaining with that employer.
130128
131129 (b) If the individual has insufficient or no potential benefit entitlement remaining with the employer involved in the disqualification in the benefit year in existence on the date of the disqualifying determination, a reduction of benefits described in this subsection applies in a succeeding benefit year with respect to any benefit entitlement based on credit weeks earned with the employer before the disqualifying act or discharge.
132130
133131 (c) For benefit years established before October 1, 2000, an individual disqualified under subsection (1)(h), (i), (j), (k), or (m) is not entitled to benefits based on wages and credit weeks earned before the disqualifying act or discharge with the employer involved in the disqualification.
134132
135133 (d) The benefit entitlement of an individual disqualified under subsection (1)(a) or (b) is not subject to reduction as a result of that disqualification.
136134
137135 (e) A denial or reduction of benefits under this subsection does not apply to benefits based on multiemployer credit weeks.
138136
139137 (f) For benefit years established on or after October 1, 2000, if the individual is disqualified under subsection (1)(c), (d), (e), (f), (g), or (l), the maximum number of weeks otherwise applicable in calculating benefits for the individual under section 27(d) must be reduced by the lesser of the following:
140138
141139 (i) The number of requalifying weeks required of the individual under this section.
142140
143141 (ii) The number of weeks of benefit entitlement remaining on the claim.
144142
145143 (g) For benefit years beginning on or after October 1, 2000, the benefits of an individual disqualified under subsection (1)(h), (i), (j), (k), (m), or (n) must be reduced by 13 weeks and any weekly benefit payments made to the claimant thereafter must be reduced by the portion of the payment attributable to base period wages paid by the base period employer involved in a disqualification under subsection (1)(h), (i), (j), (k), (m), or (n).
146144
147145 (5) Subject to subsection (11), if an individual leaves work to accept permanent full-time work with another employer or to accept a referral to another employer from the individuals union hiring hall and performs services for that employer, or if an individual leaves work to accept a recall from a former employer, all of the following apply:
148146
149147 (a) Subsection (1) does not apply.
150148
151149 (b) Wages earned with the employer whom the individual last left, including wages previously transferred under this subsection to the last employer, for the purpose of computing and charging benefits, are wages earned from the employer with whom the individual accepted work or recall, and benefits paid based upon those wages must be charged to that employer.
152150
153151 (c) When issuing a determination covering the period of employment with a new or former employer described in this subsection, the unemployment agency shall advise the chargeable employer of the name and address of the other employer, the period covered by the employment, and the extent of the benefits that may be charged to the account of the chargeable employer.
154152
155153 (6) In determining whether work is suitable for an individual, the unemployment agency shall consider the degree of risk involved to the individuals health, safety, and morals, the individuals physical fitness and prior training, the individuals length of unemployment and prospects for securing local work in the individuals customary occupation, and the distance of the available work from the individuals residence. Additionally, the unemployment agency shall consider the individuals experience and prior earnings, but an unemployed individual who refuses an offer of work determined to be suitable under this section must be denied benefits if the pay rate for that work is at least 70% of the gross pay rate the unemployed individual received immediately before becoming unemployed. Beginning January 15, 2012, after an individual has received benefits for 50% of the benefit weeks in the individuals benefit year, work is not considered unsuitable because it is outside of the individuals training or experience or unsuitable as to pay rate if the pay rate for that work meets or exceeds the minimum wage; is at least the prevailing mean wage for similar work in the locality for the most recent full calendar year for which data are available as published by the department of technology, management, and budget as wages by job title, by standard metropolitan statistical area; and is 120% or more of the individuals weekly benefit amount.
156154
157155 (7) Work is not suitable and benefits must not be denied under this act to an otherwise eligible individual for refusing to accept new work under any of the following conditions:
158156
159157 (a) If the position offered is vacant due directly to a strike, lockout, or other labor dispute.
160158
161159 (b) If the remuneration, hours, or other conditions of the work offered are substantially less favorable to the individual than those prevailing for similar work in the locality.
162160
163161 (c) If as a condition of being employed, the individual would be required to join a company union or to resign from or refrain from joining a bona fide labor organization.
164162
165163 (8) All of the following apply to an individual who seeks benefits under this act:
166164
167165 (a) An individual is disqualified from receiving benefits for a week in which the individuals total or partial unemployment is due to either of the following:
168166
169167 (i) A labor dispute in active progress at the place at which the individual is or was last employed, or a shutdown or start-up operation caused by that labor dispute.
170168
171169 (ii) A labor dispute, other than a lockout, in active progress or a shutdown or start-up operation caused by that labor dispute in any other establishment within the United States that is both functionally integrated with the establishment described in subparagraph (i) and operated by the same employing unit.
172170
173171 (b) An individuals disqualification imposed or imposable under this subsection is terminated if the individual performs services in employment with an employer in at least 2 consecutive weeks falling wholly within the period of the individuals total or partial unemployment due to the labor dispute, and in addition earns wages in each of those weeks in an amount equal to or greater than the individuals actual or potential weekly benefit rate.
174172
175173 (c) An individual is not disqualified under this subsection if the individual is not directly involved in the labor dispute. An individual is not directly involved in a labor dispute unless any of the following are established:
176174
177175 (i) At the time or in the course of a labor dispute in the establishment in which the individual was then employed, the individual in concert with 1 or more other employees voluntarily stopped working other than at the direction of the individuals employing unit.
178176
179177 (ii) The individual is participating in, financing, or directly interested in the labor dispute that causes the individuals total or partial unemployment. The payment of regular union dues, in amounts and for purposes established before the inception of the labor dispute, is not financing a labor dispute within the meaning of this subparagraph.
180178
181179 (iii) At any time a labor dispute in the establishment or department in which the individual was employed does not exist, and the individual voluntarily stops working, other than at the direction of the individuals employing unit, in sympathy with employees in some other establishment or department in which a labor dispute is in progress.
182180
183181 (iv) The individuals total or partial unemployment is due to a labor dispute that was or is in progress in a department, unit, or group of workers in the same establishment.
184182
185183 (d) As used in this subsection, directly interested must be construed and applied so as not to disqualify individuals unemployed as a result of a labor dispute the resolution of which may not reasonably be expected to affect their wages, hours, or other conditions of employment, and to disqualify individuals whose wages, hours, or conditions of employment may reasonably be expected to be affected by the resolution of the labor dispute. A reasonable expectation of an effect on an individuals wages, hours, or other conditions of employment exists, in the absence of a substantial preponderance of evidence to the contrary, in any of the following situations:
186184
187185 (i) If it is established that there is in the particular establishment or employing unit a practice, custom, or contractual obligation to extend within a reasonable period to members of the individuals grade or class of workers in the establishment in which the individual is or was last employed changes in terms and conditions of employment that are substantially similar or related to some or all of the changes in terms and conditions of employment that are made for the workers among whom there exists the labor dispute that has caused the individuals total or partial unemployment.
188186
189187 (ii) If it is established that l of the issues in or purposes of the labor dispute is to obtain a change in the terms and conditions of employment for members of the individuals grade or class of workers in the establishment in which the individual is or was last employed.
190188
191189 (iii) If a collective bargaining agreement covers both the individuals grade or class of workers in the establishment in which the individual is or was last employed and the workers in another establishment of the same employing unit who are actively participating in the labor dispute, and that collective bargaining agreement is subject by its terms to modification, supplementation, or replacement, or has expired or been opened by mutual consent at the time of the labor dispute.
192190
193191 (e) In determining the scope of the grade or class of workers, evidence of the following is relevant:
194192
195193 (i) Representation of the workers by the same national or international organization or by local affiliates of that national or international organization.
196194
197195 (ii) Whether the workers are included in a single, legally designated, or negotiated bargaining unit.
198196
199197 (iii) Whether the workers are or within the past 6 months have been covered by a common master collective bargaining agreement that sets forth all or any part of the terms and conditions of the workers employment, or by separate agreements that are or have been bargained as a part of the same negotiations.
200198
201199 (iv) Any functional integration of the work performed by those workers.
202200
203201 (v) Whether the resolution of those issues involved in the labor dispute as to some of the workers could directly or indirectly affect the advancement, negotiation, or settlement of the same or similar issues in respect to the remaining workers.
204202
205203 (vi) Whether the workers are currently or have been covered by the same or similar demands by their recognized or certified bargaining agent or agents for changes in their wages, hours, or other conditions of employment.
206204
207205 (vii) Whether issues on the same subject matter as those involved in the labor dispute have been the subject of proposals or demands made upon the employing unit that would by their terms have applied to those workers.
208206
209207 (9) Notwithstanding subsections (1) to (8), if the employing unit submits notice to the unemployment agency of possible ineligibility or disqualification beyond the time limits prescribed by unemployment agency rule and the unemployment agency concludes that benefits should not have been paid, the claimant shall repay the benefits paid during the entire period of ineligibility or disqualification. The unemployment agency shall not charge interest on repayments required under this subsection.
210208
211209 (10) An individual is disqualified from receiving benefits for any week or part of a week in which the individual has received, is receiving, or is seeking unemployment benefits under an unemployment compensation law of another state or of the United States. If the appropriate agency of the other state or of the United States finally determines that the individual is not entitled to unemployment benefits, the disqualification described in this subsection does not apply.
212210
213211 (11) Beginning on May 1, 2020, and until October 20, 2020, if an individual leaves work to accept permanent full-time work with another employer, the individual is considered to have met the requirements of subsection (5) regardless of whether the individual actually performed services for the other employer or whether the work was permanent full-time work. Benefits payable to the individual must be charged to the nonchargeable benefits account.
214212
215213
216214
217215 Enacting section 1. This amendatory act does not take effect unless Senate Bill No. 40 of the 102nd Legislature is enacted into law.
218216
219217
220218
221219
222220
223221
224222
225223 Secretary of the Senate
226224
227225
228226
229227
230228
231229 Clerk of the House of Representatives
232230
233231 Approved___________________________________________
234232
235233 ____________________________________________________
236234
237235 Governor