Model Legislation

All of NELP’s model UI legislation is collected in this resource, covering the major proposals to close the gaps in eligiblity, increase UI benefit levels, extend unemployment benefits, and several other key issues.

Changing Workforce, Changing Economy: State Unemployment Insurance Models for the 21st Century was designed as a resource for policymakers and advocates to support the growing momentum for positive reforms of state unemployment insurance programs. Prepared by NELP’s UI Safety Net Project, Changing Workforce, Changing Economy is a culmination of many years of experience with our network of partners across the country. The comprehensive handbook provides model legislation and reform policies to improve UI benefits, eligibility, financing and administration, including many new areas of policy.

Preparing for the Recession in the States: Strengthen the Unemployment Insurance System.  This paper summarizes key measures that states should consider to strengthen their UI systems and respond more effectively during recession to the income and training needs of their unemployed workers. (Revised, November 2001)

Model State UI Reform Legislation.  NELP has collected samples from existing UI laws and proposals to implement the reforms set forth in Preparing for Recession in the States. (December 2001)

Women, Low-Wage Workers and the Unemployment Compensation System: State Legislative Models for Change.  As the low wage labor market continues to grow, advocates and policy makers are increasingly focusing on the need to expand access to the unemployment compensation system for women and low-wage workers. This report provides a checklist of reform proposals, model state legislation and a summary of mounting empirical research supporting these initiatives. (1997)

In addition to these legislative summaries, addtional model legislation can be found in these publications:

• Covering Part-Time Workers: Laid Off and Left Out
• Unemployment Insurance for Survivors of Domestic Violence
• Mending the Unemployment Compensation Net for Contingent Workers
• Family Friendly UI Policies: Between a Rock and a Hard Place