HR 1119

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IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

February 7, 2025

Mr. Edwards (for himself, Mr. Scott Franklin of Florida, and Mr. Austin Scott of Georgia) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means

A BILL

To amend titles III and IX of the Social Security Act to require individuals receiving unemployment compensation to fulfill certain requirements in relation to suitable work, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the “Unemployment Integrity Act of 2025”.

SEC. 2. REFORM OF UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION TO PROMOTE WORK.

(a) Interview Requirement.—

(1) In general.—Section 303(a) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 503(a)) is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

“(13) A requirement that, as a condition of eligibility for regular compensation for any week, a claimant must, if requested, in relation to work that may be available—

“(A) respond to requests;

“(B) schedule and attend an interview and participate in reemployment services at an agreed upon time; and

“(C) comply with any other reasonable request, including any request that an individual undergo drug testing or skill assessments.”.

(2) Reporting of noncompliance.—Section 303(a) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 503(a)), as amended by paragraph (1), is further amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

“(14) A method by which a person with whom a claimant is seeking employment may voluntarily report to the State the failure of a claimant to comply with the State law provisions described in paragraphs (12) and (13).”.

(b) Audit Requirement.—

(1) Report.—Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Labor shall conduct a study on the effect of increasing the number of random audits under the Beneficiary Accuracy Management program on the administration of State unemployment compensation laws.

(2) Audit program adjustments.—Not later than 1 year after submitting the report required under paragraph (1), if such report indicates that increasing the number of random audits under the Benefit Accuracy Measurement program (or any successor audit program) will improve the administration of State unemployment compensation laws, the Secretary shall prescribe regulations to increase the number of such audits in accordance with such report.

(c) Effective Dates.—

(1) In general.—Subject to subparagraph (B), the amendments made by subsections (a) and (b) shall, with respect to a State, apply to weeks beginning after the date that is 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act.

(2) States with biennial legislative sessions.—In the case of a State whose legislature is not in session during the 1- year period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act, the amendments made by subsections (a) and (b) shall, with respect to such State, apply to weeks beginning after the end of the first session of the State legislature which begins after the date of enactment of this Act.

SEC. 3. WORK REQUIREMENTS FOR EXTENDED AND EMERGENCY UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION.

(a) In General.—Section 905 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1105) is amended—

(1) in subsection (c), by striking “Amounts” and inserting “Subject to subsection (e), amounts”; and

(2) by adding at the end the following new subsection:

“(e) Limitation on Funds Transfers.—(1) Amounts in the extended unemployment compensation account may not be transferred to a State account for the purposes of any unemployment compensation law unless the Secretary of Labor certifies that the State law under which such unemployment compensation will be administered includes the provisions required by paragraphs (13) and (14) of section 303(a).

“(2) The provisions of this subsection shall apply notwithstanding any other provision of law enacted after the date of enactment of the Unemployment Integrity Act of 2025, unless such other provision of law specifically cites this subsection.”.

(b) Effective Date.—

(1) In general.—Subject to paragraph (2), the amendments made by subsection (a) shall, with respect to a State, apply to weeks beginning after the date that is 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act.

(2) States with biennial legislative sessions.—In the case of a State whose legislature is not in session during the 1- year period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act, the amendments made by subsection (a) shall, with respect to such State, apply to weeks beginning after the end of the first session of the State legislature which begins after the date of enactment of this Act. <all>