Amendment #52 to H3983

Extended Benefits While in Training Amendment to H3983

Representatives Keefe of Worcester, Hecht of Watertown, Decker of Cambridge, Rogers of Cambridge, Farley-Bouvier of Pittsfield, Provost of Somerville, Donahue of Worcester, Sciortino of Medford, Livingstone of Boston, Mahoney of Worcester and Cullinane of Boston moves to amend the bill by inserting the following new section:

Section 30: Extended UI Benefits to Participate in Training – Amendment to H. 3983

Section 30(c) of chapter 151A of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2012 Official Edition, is hereby amended by replacing, in lines 41 and 68, the word “fifteenth” with the word “twentieth,” and replacing, in line 43, the figure “15” with the figure “20”.

Section 30(c) is hereby further amended by inserting, in line 43, after the word “tolled,” the following words:-

and the circumstances under which the application may be waived for good cause,

Section 30 or the “Training Opportunity Program” permits unemployed workers to receive unemployment benefits while participating in vocational training that has been approved by the Department of Unemployment Assistance. Under current law, the individual is eligible to receive up to 26 weeks of extended benefits only if the individual has submitted an application for training within the first 15 weeks of a claim.

The 15 week limitation has plagued low-wage workers in need of training.  Eliminating this requirement was recommended by a Massachusetts 2000 Blue Ribbon Commission on Workforce Development chaired by Professor John Dunlop.   In recognizing the serious barriers to training imposed by this requirement, the 2003 Massachusetts Senate Committee on Post Audit and Oversight recommended additional good cause exceptions to the 15 week requirement.

Additionally, approval of the § 30 program by the federal government was at risk due to the imposition of the 15 week limitation.  Consequently, the regulations at 430 CMR section 9.06(3)(g) was drafted so that the 15 week limitation does not apply to an individual who precisely meets the requirements of the federal statute, i.e. has separated from a declining occupation, or has been involuntarily and indefinitely separated from employment as a result of a permanent reduction of operations and is training for a high-demand occupation, see ARRA, Section 2003(a)(C)(ii) and § 9.06(3)(g).  However, this provision has never been enforced and even individuals from “declining industries” are denied because of the 15 week deadline.

Moreover, far too many unemployed individuals, who focus on finding new work, do not realize that they need training or that extended UI benefits are available until after the 15th week.  For these reasons, the 15 week limitation should be extended and statutory authority provided to the Director to waive this limitation for good cause.

Additional co-sponsor(s) added to Amendment #52, as changed to H3983

Extended Benefits While in Training Amendment to H3983