Labor & Employment

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 8 of Title 34 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to employment security, so as to provide for portable benefit plans and portable benefit accounts for independent contractors; to provide for definitions; to provide for voluntary contributions; to provide for independent contractors to opt in to withholdings; to provide for independent contractors to opt out at any time; to exclude voluntary contributions from establishing the classification of employer or employment; to provide for related matters; to provide for a short title; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

SB 191 amends Georgia's unemployment benefits law to clarify notice requirements for claimants and the Department of Labor. It defines "issue date" as the date a benefit determination is mailed, delivered, or sent electronically with consent, requiring this date to be printed on all notices. The bill standardizes appeal deadlines to 15 days from the issue date for initial determinations, hearings, and board decisions, while allowing the Commissioner to adjust time limits through administrative rules (with due process). These changes apply to all unemployment benefit claims and appeals under Georgia law, effective January 1, 2026.

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 18 of Title 45 of the O.C.G.A., relating to employees' insurance and benefits plans, so as to require the state employees' health insurance plan include high deductible health plans; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.