Unemployment compensation; employer's failure to respond to requests for information, etc.

Unemployment compensation; employer failure to respond torequests for information; claim determination; notice requirements.Provides that an employer's failure to respond timely or adequately to a writtenrequest for information relating to an unemployment claim results in a waiverof all of such employer's rights in connection with the claim, includingparticipation and appeal rights, unless such employer demonstrates that goodcause exists for such failure. The bill requires the Virginia EmploymentCommission to provide written notice for each instance of untimely orinadequate employer response to such requests and specifies that such noticemay be delivered through the Employer Self-Service Tax System websitemaintained by the Commission. The bill also requires the Commission to provideeach employer with information regarding deadlines for timely and adequateresponses to such requests. Such provisions of the bill apply to erroneouspayments established on or after July 1, 2024. The bill also prohibits a deputydesignated by the Commissioner to adjudicate unemployment claims from examiningor considering facts contained within an employer's untimely or inadequateresponse and requires that information or evidence from an employer or thirdparty must be shared with the claimant, who must also be provided a reasonableopportunity to review and respond to such information or evidence. The billrequires such deputy to provide the reasoning behind the decision, as describedin the bill, and a short statement of case-specific facts material to thedetermination together with any notice of determination upon a claim. This billis a recommendation of the Commission on Unemployment Compensation.