Iowa House and Senate Approve Versions of Unemployment Insurance Reform

March 25, 2022

On Wednesday, both the House and Senate passed historic legislation that will modernize and transform Iowa’s unemployment insurance system into a re-employment system. The House acted first by amending and passing HF 2355. Their version of the bill reduces the maximum amount of time an individual can be on unemployment from 6 months to 4 months. The bill also shortens business closing benefit time from 9 months to 6 months, defines “misconduct,” enhances suitable work requirements, streamlines the appeals process and modernizes the guide for interpretation. These reforms come as the state has implemented a Reemployment Case Management program to help more Iowans return to the workforce.

The Senate then amended the House bill by adding the one-week waiting period back into the legislation. The legislation is back in the House. 

Further, the bill adds language to state that if an employer’s failure to respond timely or adequately was due to untimely notification by Iowa Workforce Development, the overpayment will not be charged to the employer’s account. ABI is also supportive of this provision in the legislation.

  • Status: Passed House; Passed Senate
  • ABI Position: For