Switches some funds from the administrative contingency fund to the unemployment compensation fund. This act alters provides that an individual who is disqualified for unemployment benefits for the first time is subject to an additional penalty. This act reforms employers’ reporting requirements relating to unemployment benefits. This act takes effect on October 20, 2013. (See also SB 5355).   Official Text and Analysis.

Deletes the requirement that a pattern of failures to respond to information requests without good cause is necessary to prohibit relief of benefit charges or credit of benefit payments.

Subjects individuals who commit unemployment claimant fraud for the first time to an additional penalty of 15 percent of benefits overpaid. Prohibits relief from benefit charges and credit for benefit payments when benefits were paid because an employer failed to respond timely or adequately to the Employment Security Department's information requests without good cause.

Requires a pattern of failures to respond to information requests without good cause before benefit charge relief will be withheld from the employer. A pattern is three occurrences in the previous two years or on at least 20 percent of the current claims against the employer. The amendment also provides that when determining whether to grant an overpayment waiver, ESD must consider whether the employer or their agent failed to respond timely or adequately to a written request for information without good cause.