87R1195 JSC-D
By: Rodriguez H.B. No. 4221
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to a temporary waiver of certain unemployment benefit
eligibility conditions and of the recovery of certain improper
benefits.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 207, Labor Code, is
amended by adding Section 207.0213 to read as follows:
Sec. 207.0213. TEMPORARY WAIVER OF CERTAIN ELIGIBILITY
CONDITIONS. (a) Notwithstanding Section 207.021, if the commission
finds that in any seven-day period the number of initial claims
filed under this subtitle is more than five times the number of
initial claims filed under this subtitle in the preceding seven-day
period, the commission shall suspend for a period of 30 days the
following eligibility conditions to authorize an individual who is
otherwise eligible to receive benefits under this subtitle to
receive those benefits:
(1) the condition imposed under Section 207.021(a)(5)
that an individual be actively seeking work; and
(2) the condition imposed under Section 207.021(a)(8)
that an individual have been totally or partially unemployed for a
waiting period.
(b) The period of a suspension imposed under Subsection (a)
begins on the first day of the seven-day period in which the
increased number of initial claims were filed.
SECTION 2. Section 214.002, Labor Code, is amended by
adding Subsection (a-1) to read as follows:
(a-1) Notwithstanding Subsection (a) and except as
otherwise provided by this subsection, if the commission finds that
in any seven-day period the number of initial claims filed under
this subtitle is more than five times the number of initial claims
filed under this subtitle in the preceding seven-day period, the
commission may not seek to recover the amount of any improper
benefits received during the 30-day period beginning on the first
day of the seven-day period in which the increased number of initial
claims were filed. This subsection does not apply to improper
benefits obtained by a person due to a nondisclosure or
misrepresentation that is known or fraudulent.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.