PRINTER'S NO. 598
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No.590
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY GLEIM, HANBIDGE, JAMES AND ZIMMERMAN,
FEBRUARY 12, 2025
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON LABOR AND INDUSTRY, FEBRUARY 12, 2025
AN ACT
Amending the act of December 5, 1936 (2nd Sp.Sess., 1937
P.L.2897, No.1), entitled "An act establishing a system of
unemployment compensation to be administered by the
Department of Labor and Industry and its existing and newly
created agencies with personnel (with certain exceptions)
selected on a civil service basis; requiring employers to
keep records and make reports, and certain employers to pay
contributions based on payrolls to provide moneys for the
payment of compensation to certain unemployed persons;
providing procedure and administrative details for the
determination, payment and collection of such contributions
and the payment of such compensation; providing for
cooperation with the Federal Government and its agencies;
creating certain special funds in the custody of the State
Treasurer; and prescribing penalties," in administration of
act, providing for emergency unemployment compensation
assistance.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. The act of December 5, 1936 (2nd Sp.Sess., 1937
P.L.2897, No.1), known as the Unemployment Compensation Law, is
amended by adding a section to read:
Section 215. Emergency Unemployment Compensation
Assistance.--(a) The Governor shall hire additional employes or
reassign employes from other Commonwealth departments, boards or
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25 commissions, including full-time and part-time furloughed
employes, in accordance with sections 501 and 502 of the act of
April 9, 1929 (P.L.177, No.175), known as "The Administrative
Code of 1929," for the Office of Unemployment Compensation and
unemployment compensation service centers to ensure that
eligible claimants are able to receive the benefits provided
under this act. The department shall hire additional employes or
reassign Commonwealth employes under this subsection
commensurate with need, if:
(1) The Commonwealth enters an extended benefit period as
defined by section 401-A(a).
(2) A state of disaster emergency is declared or a
declaration is renewed under 35 Pa.C.S. § 7301(c) (relating to
general authority of Governor).
(b) In determining whether the department needs to hire
additional employes or reassign Commonwealth employes, the
Governor, in conjunction with the secretary, shall consult with
all of the following:
(1) The chairperson and minority chairperson of the Labor
and Industry Committee of the Senate.
(2) The chairperson and minority chairperson of the Labor
and Industry Committee of the House of Representatives.
(c) The department shall hire additional employes or
reassign Commonwealth employes under subsection (a) in a manner
that preserves the health and safety of the employes at the
Office of Unemployment Compensation and unemployment
compensation service centers.
Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
20250HB0590PN0598 - 2 -
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