Bill > SB153

This bill amends the Unemployment Compensation Law to establish new provisions regarding an individual's eligibility for unemployment benefits, specifically focusing on job-seeking behaviors. The bill requires unemployment claimants to make a good faith effort to obtain employment and prohibits actions that might unreasonably discourage their own hiring. These actions include refusing to attend job interviews, failing to participate in applicant selection activities, or refusing employment opportunities without good cause before discussing job details. The legislation mandates that within 90 days, the department of labor must create or update forms for employers to report instances where claimants discourage their own hiring. If a claimant is found to have unreasonably discouraged their own hire, they will be considered as having refused a work offer, which could result in disqualification from receiving unemployment benefits. The bill also ensures that claimants in approved training programs or those with valid reasons (good cause) for not accepting work are still protected under the existing unemployment compensation regulations. The amendment aims to encourage more active and genuine job-seeking behavior among unemployment benefit recipients while maintaining protections for legitimate job search challenges.

Budget and Finance, Labor and Employment

https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/bill_history.cfm?syear=2025&sind=0&body=S&type=B&bn=153