2021 -- S 0808

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LC002627

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2021

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- EMPLOYMENT SECURITY --

BENEFITS -- RHODE ISLAND BACK TO WORK INCENTIVE PROGRAM

     Introduced By: Senators Lombardi, Ciccone, Raptakis, Lombardo, Archambault, and
Picard

     Date Introduced: April 08, 2021

     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:

     28-44-72. Rhode Island back to work incentive program.

     (a) Any person collecting unemployment compensation benefits is eligible to participate in

the Rhode Island back to work incentive program created by this section.

     (b) The program shall initially incentivize a person collecting benefits to return to

employment by paying the person returning to employment up to one hundred fifty dollars ($150)

per week based on a forty (40) hour work week. The payment shall be prorated for work weeks of

less than forty (40) hours and shall be paid weekly based on the prior week's hours worked and

verified by the employer.

     (c)(1) Any person maintaining employment for thirteen (13) consecutive weeks shall

receive additional benefits in a lump sum payment of one hundred fifty dollars ($150) per week for

a maximum benefit of one thousand nine hundred fifty dollars ($1,950) with a prorated amount for

a less than forty (40) hour work week.

     (2) Termination for cause or resignation shall disqualify the person employed for any

additional compensation.

     (3) Termination for just cause shall result in additional compensation prorated based on the

termination date.

     (d) Any employed person receiving incentive benefits shall remain eligible for the program

under a subsequent employer in the event the person elects to change employment during the

thirteen (13) week program subject to the recalculation of benefits pursuant to the provisions of

subsections (b) and (c) of this section.

     (e) The employer and the person collecting incentive benefits shall be required to complete

weekly forms designed by the department of labor and training, and submit the forms to the

department for the person to receive the weekly benefits and the additional compensation.

     (f) The incentive compensation benefits shall be subject to taxation to the same extent as

regular unemployment benefits.

     (g) The department of labor and training shall promulgate rules and regulations for the

implementation of this program.

     (h) The provisions in this section shall expire on January 1, 2022.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- EMPLOYMENT SECURITY --

BENEFITS -- RHODE ISLAND BACK TO WORK INCENTIVE PROGRAM

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     This act would provide incentive benefits for persons collecting unemployment benefits

who return to work in the amount of one hundred fifty dollars ($150) per week for thirteen (13)

weeks based on a forty (40) hour work week with prorated benefits for persons working less than

forty (40) hours. Upon completion of the thirteen (13) week period, additional compensation up to

a maximum of one thousand nine hundred fifty dollars ($1,950) would be paid on a prorated basis.

These benefits would expire on January 1, 2022.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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