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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2019 - 2020
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | June 12, 2020 08:59 AM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Danielle Friel Otten |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | COVID-19: Unemployment Compensation Protection for Transition from Pandemic |
| With all counties in Pennsylvania moving to the Yellow and Green phases of reopening, we face a situation in which hundreds of thousands of workers receiving unemployment benefits as a result of the pandemic are being called back to work in an environment without a vaccine, a cure, or even effective treatment for COVID-19. This potentially fatal virus has led to more than two million Pennsylvanians filing unemployment compensation claims between March and June 2020. Many of these workers will be faced with an excruciating decision. They may have young children at home whose schools and childcare centers are closed or unable to provide safe environments. They may have underlying conditions that make them more vulnerable to severe cases of COVID-19, or they may care for young or elderly family members in vulnerable populations. They may work in service-industry jobs, dependent on tips, where a return to slow business will not provide sufficient income to cover the cost of childcare, rent, or other necessities. For these workers and families, a decision not to return to work may be the only safe decision, but without protections, they stand to lose the income support provided through state and federal unemployment compensation, putting them at serious risk of financial hardship and destitution. For this reason, I am introducing legislation that will maintain a claimant’s unemployment compensation under certain COVID-19 related circumstances affecting their health and safety. Please join me in taking steps to protect Pennsylvania’s workforce and our public health as we take steps to recover from this pandemic. Your support and consideration are greatly appreciated. |
Introduced as HB2729