Signed by Governor Dan McKee

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that extends unemployment benefits to individuals who are currently employed.

Highlights:

• Defines "benefit rate" as the money payable to an individual as compensation, as provided in chapters 42 -- 44 of this title, for his or her wage losses concerning any week of total unemployment (Sec. 1-6).

• Classifies "governmental entity" as state and local governments in this state and includes the following (Sec. 1-22):

• The state of Rhode Island or any of its instrumentalities, or any political subdivision of the state, or any of its instrumentalities;

• Any instrumentality of more than one of these entities; or

• Any instrumentality of any of these entities and one or more other states or political subdivisions;

• Specifies an employee will be deemed partially unemployed in any week of less than full-time work if they fail to earn in wages for that week an amount equal to the weekly benefit rate for total unemployment to which they would be entitled if unemployed and eligible. For weeks beginning on or after May 23, 2021, through June 30, 2022, an employee will be deemed partially unemployed in any week of less than full-time work if they fail to earn wages for that week in an amount equal to or greater than 150% of the weekly benefit rate for total unemployment to which they would be entitled if unemployed and eligible (Sec. 1-26.i).

• Specifies "wages" includes only that part of the remuneration for any work that is over 50% of the weekly benefit rate for total unemployment, rounded to the next lower multiple of $1.00, to which the individual would be entitled if totally unemployed and eligible in any one week, and "services" includes only that part of any work for which remuneration over 50% of the weekly benefit rate for total unemployment, rounded to the next lower multiple of $1.00, to which the individual would be entitled if totally unemployed and eligible in any one week is payable. Provided that nothing contained in this subdivision will permit any individual to whom remuneration is payable for any work performed in any week in an amount equal to or greater than 150% of their weekly benefit rate to receive benefits under this subdivision for that week.

• Requires an individual partially unemployed and eligible in any week to be paid sufficient benefits concerning that week, so that his or her week's wages, rounded to the next higher multiple of $1.00 and his or her benefits combined will equal in the amount the weekly benefit rate to which he or she would be entitled if unemployed in that week (Sec. 2).

• Specifies for weeks beginning on or after May 23, 2021, through June 30, 2022, an individual partially unemployed and eligible in any week will be paid benefits in an amount equal to the weekly benefit rate to which they would be entitled if unemployed in that week less any wages earned in that week, and their benefits combined may not exceed in amount 150% of the individual's weekly benefit rate (Sec. 2).

Full Bill Text