2019 -- S 0175

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LC000879

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2019

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO LABOR - UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS DURING FEDERAL

GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN

     Introduced By: Senators Lawson, Ruggerio, Euer, Goodwin, and McCaffrey

     Date Introduced: January 24, 2019

     Referred To: Senate Labor

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Chapter 28-44 of the General Laws entitled "Employment Security -

Benefits" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

     28-44-17.2. Unemployment benefits for federal employees during government

shutdown.

     Notwithstanding any general laws to the contrary, federal government employees, who

are covered by Rhode Island's employment security laws, shall be immediately eligible for

weekly unemployment benefits, while the federal government has been shutdown even if they are

actually working but not currently receiving wages. When they eventually receive their federal

back pay, they shall immediately repay any unemployment benefits they had received as a result

of the federal government shutdown.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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LC000879

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO LABOR - UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS DURING FEDERAL

GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN

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     This act would enable federal employees, who are working during a government

shutdown but not receiving wages, to receive unemployment benefits while they are working but

not getting paid. When they receive their federal back pay they are required to repay the state for

any unemployment benefits they receive.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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LC000879

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