Bill > H0235

This bill modifies unemployment insurance (UI) eligibility rules in two key ways. First, it changes how wages are calculated for partially unemployed individuals by clarifying that only wages exceeding 50% of an individual's weekly wages will be considered when determining unemployment benefits. Second, the bill expands UI eligibility for educational institution employees by removing restrictions that previously prevented non-instructional, non-research, and non-administrative staff from receiving benefits between academic terms. Specifically, the bill eliminates a provision that had denied UI benefits to workers in other educational institution roles during periods between academic years if they had a reasonable expectation of returning to work in the subsequent term. This change means that more educational institution employees, such as support staff, maintenance workers, and administrative assistants, will now be able to claim unemployment benefits during breaks between academic terms. The bill will take effect immediately upon passage, providing broader unemployment support for workers in the education sector.

Business and Industry

https://legislature.vermont.gov/bill/status/2026/H.235