BILL NUMBER: S6120

SPONSOR: MONTGOMERY
 
TITLE OF BILL:  An act to amend the labor law, in relation to compel-
ling family reasons and the continuance of unemployment benefits

 
PURPOSE:

To include child care as a compelling family reason for purposes of
unemployment insurance.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1 of the bill would amend subdivision 1 of section 593 of the
labor law to add child care as a compelling family reason. Section 2 of
the bill provides for an immediate effective date.

 
EFFECTS OF PRESENT LAW WHICH THIS BILL WOULD ALTER:

Section 593 enumerates circumstances that qualify as a compelling family
              

reason for purposes of unemployment benefits. This bill would include
child care as a compelling family reason.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

Unemployment insurance claimants who voluntarily separate from employ-
ment without good cause are ineligible for benefits. The labor law spec-
ifies that a "compelling family reason" constitutes good cause.  The
unemployment insurance appeal board and the courts have interpreted
whether the need to provide child care constitutes good cause with some
decisions denying benefits and others ruling in favor of the claimant.
This bill would ensure that workers who separate from employment due to
child care obligations, and have made reasonable efforts to secure
alternative child care, are not denied benefits.

 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

A6989 - 5/25/17 Advanced to 3rd Reading 1/3/18 - 3rd Reading A8919 -
2013-14

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:  Unknown.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
Immediately