81R2043 KSD-F
By: Deshotel H.B. No. 162
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the adoption of an alternative base period for
computation of unemployment compensation benefits.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 201.011(1), Labor Code, is repealed.
SECTION 2. Subchapter B, Chapter 201, Labor Code, is
amended by adding Section 201.013 to read as follows:
Sec. 201.013. DEFINITION OF BASE PERIOD; ALTERNATE BASE
PERIODS. (a) For purposes of this subtitle and subject to this
section, an individual's base period is the four consecutive
completed calendar quarters, prescribed by the commission, in the
five consecutive completed calendar quarters preceding the first
day of an individual's benefit year.
(b) For an individual precluded because of a medically
verifiable injury or illness from working during a major part of a
calendar quarter of the period that would otherwise be the
individual's base period under Subsection (a), the base period is
the first four calendar quarters of the five consecutive calendar
quarters preceding the calendar quarter in which the illness began
or the injury occurred if the individual files an initial claim for
benefits not later than 24 months after the date on which the
individual's injury or illness began or occurred.
(c) For an individual who does not have sufficient benefit
wage credits to qualify for benefits under the computation of the
base period as provided by Subsection (a) or (b), the base period is
the four most recently completed calendar quarters preceding the
first day of the individual's benefit year.
SECTION 3. This Act applies only to eligibility for
unemployment compensation benefits based on a claim that is filed
with the Texas Workforce Commission on or after the effective date
of this Act. A claim filed before the effective date of this Act is
governed by the law in effect on the date the claim was filed, and
the former law is continued in effect for that purpose.
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2009.