The US House Ways and Means Committee has reported legislation language proposed for inclusion in the budget reconciliation bill for 2021. The language also seeks to address COVID-19 relief and economic stimulus. A summary of the UI related provisions addressed in the bill is available from the House Ways and Means Committee at 1.UI_sxs.pdf (house.gov) Click [...]
On February 10, 2021, the US House Education and Labor Committee, Chaired by Representative Bobby Scott (D-VA), voted to report legislative language to be part of the 2021 Budget Reconciliation bill. Click here for the fact sheet. Click here for the language proposed as a substitute by the Chairman. Section 2104 of the legislative language provides [...]
On February 5, 2021, UWC filed comments on proposed Black Lung Self Insurance Guidelines. The guidelines that were released on January 4, 2021 by the Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs (OWCP) describe the agency’s updated process for evaluating self-insurance applications under the Black Lung Benefits Act (BLBA). The BLBA requires coal mine operators to secure the [...]
In one of his Executive Orders on January 21st, President Biden ordered the development of federal guidance for Occupational Safety and Health. The order addresses issues that are temporary in response to COVID-19 but also begins to address longer term issues. In particular, Section 2 of the Executive Order provides that within two weeks of the [...]
On January 22, 2021, President Biden signed a series of executive orders, including an order addressing economic relief. This order includes the following provision: Help ensure that unemployed Americans no longer have to choose between paying their bills and keeping themselves and their families safe from COVID-19 by asking the U.S. Department of Labor to consider [...]
On October 14, 2020 Georgia Governor Brian Kemp announced that Georgia will allocate $1.5 billion in Coronavirus Relief Funds to the state unemployment trust fund to save Georgia employers millions of dollars in state and federal unemployment taxes, prevent significant layoffs, and save the state millions of dollars in interest payments. According to the Georgia Department [...]
On September 28, 2020, Speaker Pelosi released the summary of the Updated Version of the HEROES Act for consideration in response to the Coronavirus and as an economic stimulus. The proposal would dramatically increase administrative funding and unemployment compensation for individuals impacted by COVID-19 and the ensuing recession. (see section by section summary) Provisions of particular [...]
On September 28, 2020, Speaker Pelosi released the summary of the Updated Version of the HEROES Act for consideration in response to the Coronavirus and as an economic stimulus. The proposal would create new employer reporting requirements with respect to health and safety and create new workers’ compensation presumptions related to COVID-19 (See section by section [...]
On September 24, 2020 Senator Rob Portman (R-OH) and Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) introduced legislation to clarify the determination of workers’ compensation for Medicare eligible employees who were injured or became ill in the course of employment. This bi-partisan bill is the Senate companion to HR 4161 that was introduced by Representatives Mike Thompson (D-CA) and [...]
Unemployment Insurance Fraud has become a significant problem due to the volume of regular unemployment compensation and pandemic unemployment claims filed due to COVID-19. On September 21, 2020 the United States Department of Labor Office of Inspector General (OIG) released the Unemployment Insurance Fraud Consumer Protection Guide with links to state workforce agencies and tips to [...]
