Signed by Governor Jared Polis

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to concur with House amendments and pass a bill that increases the possible wages one can earn before their unemployment is cut off.

Highlights:

• Establishes an individual separated from a job must be given a full award of benefits if the division determines that any of the following reasons and pertinent related conditions exist (Sec. 4):

• Separation from employment because the employer requires the employee to work in an environment that is not in compliance with:

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines

• State and federal laws, rules, and regulations

• A governor’s executive order to close or modify business operations; and

• Any public health order modifying business operations

• Separation from employment because the employee is the caretaker of:

• A child whose school is closed due to a public health emergency

• A family member who is quarantined due to an illness

• Separation from employment because the employee is immunocompromised.

• Specifies the considerations of unemployment compensation, which includes the following (Sec. 4-5):

• The degree of risk involved to health, safety, and morals, 

• Physical fitness and prior training, 

• Experience and prior earnings, 

• Length of unemployment and prospects for securing work in their customary occupation, and 

• The distance of the available local work from their residence.

• Requires an employer to submit a work share plan to the division on forms and following procedures required by the director (Sec. 6-2).

• Specifies an employee may be eligible for unemployment compensation benefits for a particular week if an amount consistent with a reduction in hours rules as established in an approved work share plan (Sec. 7).

• Establishes the employment support fund (Sec. 8).

• Requires the Department of Labor and Employment to study the modernization of worker benefits and protections (Sec. 11).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to amend and pass a bill that increases the possible wages one can earn before their unemployment is cut off.

Highlights:

• Establishes an individual separated from a job must be given a full award of benefits if the division determines that any of the following reasons and pertinent related conditions exist (Sec. 4):

• Separation from employment because the employer requires the employee to work in an environment that is not in compliance with:

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines

• State and federal laws, rules, and regulations

• A governor’s executive order to close or modify business operations; and

• Any public health order modifying business operations

• Separation from employment because the employee is the caretaker of:

• A child whose school is closed due to a public health emergency

• A family member who is quarantined due to an illness

• Separation from employment because the employee is immunocompromised.

• Specifies the considerations of unemployment compensation, which includes the following (Sec. 4-5):

• The degree of risk involved to health, safety, and morals, 

• Physical fitness and prior training, 

• Experience and prior earnings, 

• Length of unemployment and prospects for securing work in their customary occupation, and 

• The distance of the available local work from their residence.

• Requires an employer to submit a work share plan to the division on forms and following procedures required by the director (Sec. 6-2).

• Specifies an employee may be eligible for unemployment compensation benefits for a particular week if an amount consistent with a reduction in hours rules as established in an approved work share plan (Sec. 7).

• Establishes the employment support fund (Sec. 8).

• Requires the Department of Labor and Employment to study the modernization of worker benefits and protections (Sec. 11).

Full Bill Text