HB 2037 Virginia House of Delegates · 2021 Regular Session

Unemployment compensation; benefits, suitable work, benefits charges.

Summary
Unemployment compensation; benefits; suitable work; benefits charges. Provides that, under specific conditions related to the COVID-19 virus, work will not be deemed suitable and benefits will not be denied to any otherwise eligible individual for refusing to accept new work if (i) the individual presents satisfactory evidence that such individual (a) has tested positive for COVID-19, (b) has been otherwise directed by a physician to quarantine due to COVID-19, or (c) is providing care for an immediate family member who has tested positive for COVID-19; or (ii) the individual has a reasonable belief, based on satisfactory evidence, that the workplace is unsafe because it does not meet governmental-mandated COVID-19 health and safety standards for the workplace, including standards issued by the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the Department of Labor and Industry, or the Department of Health, or through an executive order or directive issued by the Governor. The bill provides, that for individuals who refuse to accept an offer of work based on such conditions, no benefits charges will be deemed to be the responsibility of the previous employer, unless the individual has refused an offer to return to work to his previous employer because the individual has a reasonable belief that the workplace is not in compliance with the Department of Labor and Industry's standards for the prevention of COVID-19. The provisions of the bill expire 30 days after the expiration or revocation of all states of emergency declared by the Governor related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Bill status passed both 4 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2021
Committee Review
Feb 2021
House of Delegates Passage
Feb 2021
Senate Passage
Feb 2021
Governor
Introduced Jan 12, 2021 Last action Feb 15, 2021
Floor votes · House of Delegates Feb 2, 2021

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
20
Key actions
9
Committee
10
Feb 15, 2021
Upper · Passed
Passed by indefinitely in Commerce and Labor (9-Y 6-N)
upper
Feb 15, 2021
Upper · Passed
Senate committee, floor amendments and substitutes offered
upper
Feb 3, 2021
Committee
Referred to Committee on Commerce and Labor
upper
Feb 2, 2021
Lower · Passed
Read third time and passed House (56-Y 42-N)
lower
Feb 1, 2021
Lower · Passed
Engrossed by House - committee substitute HB2037H1
lower
Feb 1, 2021
Lower · Passed
Committee substitute agreed to 21103626D-H1
lower
Jan 28, 2021
Lower · Passed
Reported from Labor and Commerce with substitute (15-Y 7-N)
lower
Jan 26, 2021
Lower · Passed
Subcommittee recommends referring to Committee on Appropriations
lower
Jan 26, 2021
Lower · Passed
Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute (5-Y 3-N)
lower
Jan 26, 2021
Lower · Passed
House subcommittee amendments and substitutes offered
lower
Jan 14, 2021
Committee
Assigned L & C sub: Subcommittee #1
lower
Jan 12, 2021
Committee
Referred to Committee on Labor and Commerce
lower
Jan 12, 2021
Introduced
Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/13/21 21100605D
lower
1 primary · 4 co-sponsors

Sponsors