Budget Amendment ID: FY2013-S4-241

ECO 241

SPECIAL COMMISSION ON UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE

Messrs. Tarr, Rodrigues, Knapik and Hedlund moved that the proposed new text be amended by inserting, after section ___, the following new sections:-

“SECTION __. There shall be a special commission to conduct an investigation and study of the activities and efficacy of the adjudication of unemployment insurance claims by the department of unemployment assistance under the executive office of labor and workforce development. The commission shall consist of 11 members: 2 members who shall be appointed by the state auditor, both of whom shall have experience with the adjudication of unemployment disputes, and 1 of whom shall serve as chair; 2 members of the senate, 1 of whom shall be appointed by the senate president and 1 of whom shall be appointed by the minority leader of the senate; 2 members of the house of representatives, 1 of whom shall be appointed by the speaker of the house and 1 of whom shall be appointed by the minority leader of the house; the director of the department of unemployment assistance, or a designee; the president of the Massachusetts taxpayer’s foundation, or a designee; the executive vice-president of the AFL-CIO, or a designee; the executive vice-president of associated industries of Massachusetts, or a designee; and the executive director of the Massachusetts municipal association, or a designee.

The study shall include, but not be limited to, an analysis of: (1) the number of claims received by the department quarterly since January 1, 2008 and the resulting status of all claims, including any information pertinent to the description of the status of said claims, including, but not limited to (i) the results of all initial determinations of claims, (ii) the results of any appeals resulting from said initial determination, (iii) the number of rulings reversed through the appeals and review process, (iv) the number of claims arising from the  provisions of subdivisions (1) and (2) of subsection e of section 25 of chapter 151A, and (v) the number of claims settled in favor of the claimant and in favor of the employer; (2) the average length of time of the appeals and review process of a claim from initial determination to final disposition; (3) the procedures through which the department hires and trains new employees to implement the provisions of sections 39 through 41, inclusive, of chapter 151A, including a determination as to whether or not employment procedures have been followed pursuant to section 9K of chapter 23.

The study shall also include the recommendations of the commission relative to: (1) procedures through which the department may produce a quarterly report, to be posted on the department’s website, of the number of active claims and the status of said claims; (2) procedures through which any current backlog of cases may be fairly and efficiently resolved and avoided in future department proceedings; (3) procedures through which oversight and quality control principles may be implemented to ensure the continuing prompt, equitable, and transparent application of current law by the commissioner and the board of review; (4) a complete review of current statute and regulations relative to the implementation of chapter 151A and any recommendations as to possible legislative reform and streamlined procedures, including, but not limited to, recommendations and procedures for the uniform and effective implementation of section 25 of chapter 151A.

The commission may request from all state agencies such information and assistance as the commission may require. The commission shall report the results of its investigation and study, together with drafts of legislation, if any, necessary to carry its recommendations into effect, by filing the same with the clerks of the senate and house of representatives, who shall forward the same to the joint committee on public health and the house and senate committees on ways and means on or before December 31, 2013.”