AN ACT CONCERNING A NONCHARGE FOR EMPLOYEES PAID BENEFITS THROUGH THE SHARED WORK PROGRAM DURING PERIODS OF HIGH UNEMPLOYMENT.

HB 5280 prevents employers from being charged for unemployment benefits paid to employees participating in the state's voluntary shared work program during periods of high unemployment or extended benefit periods. It directly affects employers using the shared work program and employees receiving benefits through it during designated high-unemployment periods. The key mechanism requires that no employer experience account be charged for such benefits starting January 1, 2027, until the federal government ends the high-unemployment designation. This change shifts the cost of these benefits from employers to the state unemployment fund during qualifying periods.