HB 274: An Act amending the act of December 5, 1936 (2nd Sp.Sess., 1937 P.L.2897, No.1), known as the Unemployment Compensation Law, in compensation, further providing for qualifications required to secure compensation and for ineligibility for compensation, providing for eligibility related to domestic violence and further providing for rate and amount of compensation. - Pennsylvania

Printer's No. PN2674 → Printer's No. PN2683 · 6 edits

MODERATE

This bill version updates the printer's number and clarifies that relief from unemployment insurance charges for domestic violence victims is automatic, requiring no request from the employer. It also extends the timeline for a specific unemployment benefit calculation method to 2029 and adjusts the effective dates for these new provisions.

Scope change

The bill's scope remains focused on unemployment compensation, but the applicability of the domestic violence relief provision is broadened by removing the requirement for an employer request.

TIMELINE

The effective date for the new unemployment benefit calculation method was extended from 2027 to 2028, and the subsequent year for the alternative calculation was extended from 2028 to 2029.

The effective date for the new benefit calculation rules was changed from immediate to three years after enactment.

REQUIREMENT

Relief from employer charges for domestic violence victims is now granted automatically without the employer needing to submit a request.

The notice regarding automatic charge relief for domestic violence victims was simplified to require only that the employer be notified, removing specific instructions about where the notice must appear.

TECHNICAL

The document header was updated to reflect the new printer's number (PN 2683) and added the prior printer's number (PN 2674) to the list of previous versions.

The Senate reporting date was updated from December 8 to December 9, and the status was changed to 'as amended on third consideration'.

Printer's No. PN2541 → Printer's No. PN2674 · 4 edits

MODERATE

This bill updates unemployment compensation rules to increase the earnings threshold for eligibility from 10 to 12 times the weekly benefit rate and adjusts the effective dates for these changes. It also clarifies the calculation of 'highest quarterly wages' for future years and adds a new provision ensuring employers receive automatic relief from charges when employees qualify for benefits due to domestic violence.

Scope change

The bill modifies the scope of eligibility by raising the earnings requirement and extends the timeline for certain wage calculation rules to take effect in 2028 rather than 2026.

ELIGIBILITY

Increased the minimum earnings requirement for unemployment benefits from 10 times the weekly benefit rate to 12 times the weekly benefit rate.

TIMELINE

Delayed the effective date for the new wage calculation method from July 1, 2025, to July 1, 2027, and the trigger date for standard wage calculations from 2026 to 2028.

ENFORCEMENT

Added a new clause requiring the Department of Labor to automatically grant employers relief from benefit charges when an employee qualifies for benefits due to domestic violence, without the employer needing to request it.

REQUIREMENT

Added a new rule stating that employees whose wages in their highest quarter exceed 63% of their total base year wages are not financially eligible for compensation.

Printer's No. PN1026 → Printer's No. PN2541 · 6 edits

MODERATE

This bill updates Pennsylvania's Unemployment Compensation Law to clarify eligibility rules, adjust financial thresholds for qualifying for benefits, and modify how compensation rates are calculated. It also extends the deadline for domestic violence victims to submit proof of their situation and clarifies when employers must be notified of charge relief.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of the Unemployment Compensation Law by adding a new section on domestic violence eligibility and modifying existing sections regarding qualifications and compensation rates.

ELIGIBILITY

The minimum earnings required to qualify for unemployment benefits were increased from six times the weekly benefit rate to ten times the weekly benefit rate.

The deadline for domestic violence victims to submit documentation proving their situation was extended from 120 days to 150 days.

The department was given the authority to excuse documentation requirements or extend deadlines for domestic violence victims based on good cause.

A new provision was added to prevent claimants from being disqualified if they unreasonably discourage their own hiring, such as refusing interviews without good cause.

FISCAL

The formula for calculating the 'highest quarterly wages' used to determine benefit rates was changed, potentially affecting the maximum compensation amount paid to employees.

TIMELINE

The effective date for the new earnings threshold requirement was delayed to one year from the act's passage, while other changes took effect immediately or within 60 days.

Printer's No. PN0374 → Printer's No. PN1026 · 3 edits

MINOR

This bill update modifies the deadline for victims of domestic violence to submit proof of their situation from 120 days to 150 days, providing a longer window for compliance. It also updates the sponsor list to include a new representative and reflects the bill's progression through the legislative process with a second amendment.

Scope change

The bill's scope regarding eligibility timelines was expanded to allow for a longer submission period for required documentation.

REQUIREMENT

Extended the deadline for submitting domestic violence documentation from 120 days to 150 days after the initial application.

TECHNICAL

Added a new sponsor, K.Harris, to the list of bill sponsors.

TIMELINE

Updated the legislative history to reflect the bill was amended on second consideration on March 18, 2025.

Printer's No. PN0218 → Printer's No. PN0374 · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill text was updated from Printer's Number 218 to 374, reflecting amendments made by the House of Representatives. The most significant substantive change is the addition of a new eligibility provision for unemployment compensation related to domestic violence situations, allowing individuals to leave employment or fail to attend work without penalty if their safety is jeopardized. The bill also expands the list of sponsors and adds a requirement for the Department of Labor and Industry to consult with victim advocacy groups when implementing these new protections.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded to include specific eligibility criteria for individuals facing domestic violence situations, allowing them to claim unemployment benefits without penalty for leaving work or missing work due to safety concerns.

ELIGIBILITY

Added new eligibility criteria allowing individuals to receive unemployment compensation if they leave employment or fail to attend work due to a domestic violence situation that jeopardizes their safety.

Modified the eligibility section to require expedited processing for claims based on domestic violence situations and clarified the confidentiality of such claims.

REQUIREMENT

Added a requirement for the Department of Labor and Industry to consult with victim advocacy groups when updating applications, notices, and forms related to domestic violence documentation.

TECHNICAL

Updated the bill header and sponsor list to reflect the addition of new co-sponsors and the bill's status as amended by the House.

What changed between versions

How they voted

Actions timeline

Sponsors