Bill > SB1296

This bill modifies Arizona's unemployment benefits law by introducing several key changes. First, it revises the requirements for actively seeking work, now mandating that claimants must complete at least five specific work search actions each week, such as submitting resumes, completing job applications, attending job fairs, participating in interviews, or attending approved training programs. The bill also requires claimants to provide weekly reports detailing their work search efforts. Additionally, the legislation introduces new fraud prevention measures, requiring the unemployment department to cross-check claims against multiple data sets, including national workforce databases, new hire reporting systems, corrections databases, vital records, and employment verification services. If a claim is flagged as potentially fraudulent, the department must investigate and may disqualify the claimant from receiving benefits. The bill also requires employers to report instances where previously employed individuals refuse to return to work, refuse job offers, miss scheduled interviews, or fail to respond to employment opportunities. These changes aim to strengthen work search requirements, improve unemployment benefit integrity, and encourage more active job seeking among unemployment insurance claimants.

Business and Industry, Government Affairs

https://apps.azleg.gov/BillStatus/BillOverview/82670