SS#2 SS SCS SB 2 -- EMPLOYMENT SECURITY

This bill makes several changes to the law concerning employment
security.  The bill:

(1)  Requires the Division of Employment Security to cross-check
unemployment compensation recipients against the federal new hire
database monthly;

(2)  Increases the taxable wage base to $8,000 for calendar year
2003 and bases the taxable wage base on the previous year's
balance in the Unemployment Compensation Trust Fund.  If the
balance is $350 million or less, the wage base will increase by
$1,000; if the balance is $500 million or more, the wage base
will decrease by $500;

(3)  Freezes the maximum benefit amount for 24 months in the
event of fund insolvency after the fund regains solvency;

(4)  Exempts unemployment insurance claimants from the seeking
work requirement if they are participating in a state-approved
drug or alcohol treatment program;

(5)  Makes the one-week waiting period non-compensable at any
time;

(6)  Defines misconduct in connection with work as including acts
of wanton or willful disregard of the employer's interest,
deliberate violation of rules, disregard of standards of
behavior, excessive negligence, wrongful intent, or evil design;

(7)  Requires that suspensions of four weeks be treated as
discharges;

(8)  Requires that if an unemployment insurance claimant has been
discharged due to misconduct in connection with work, the
claimant be disqualified from the waiting week credit and
benefits.  Current law allows deputies to consider the
seriousness of the misconduct in each case and disqualify
claimants for not less than four and not more than 16 weeks;

(9)  Establishes criteria for an offer of suitable work;

(10)  Removes the exemption for salaries of elected officials,
severance pay, and termination pay for purposes of calculating
partial unemployment benefits;

(11)  Requires the division to recalculate the contribution rate
of a newly acquired business on the first day of the next
calendar quarter after acquisition instead of as of the date of
acquisition;

(12)  Allows the state to issue bonds to fund unemployment
benefits through the newly created Missouri Commission on
Employment Security Financing and to charge employers an
additional fee to pay the expenses for these bonds;

(13)  Allows the division to contract with private entities to
provide employment and reemployment services; and

(14)  Prohibits the disclosure of confidential information
related to employment security.  Unlawful disclosure is a class D
felony.

Missouri House of Representatives
Last Updated July 25, 2003 at 10:13 am