Amends Louisiana's unemployment compensation laws, specifically focusing on work search requirements for unemployment benefit eligibility.

Key Proposed Changes:

1. Increased Work Search Actions: Claimants would be required to perform at least five work search actions each week to qualify for unemployment benefits. The specific activities that constitute valid work search actions would be defined by the administrator through regulations.
2. Reemployment Assistance Plan: The bill emphasizes that claimants must follow a reemployment assistance plan approved by the administrator. This plan should be reasonable, considering factors such as the claimant's qualifications, proximity to potential employers, prior work history, and current labor market conditions.
3. Disqualification Criteria: The bill outlines circumstances under which individuals may be disqualified from receiving benefits, including:

• Failing to apply for or accept suitable work when directed.
• Not appearing for scheduled job interviews.
• Refusing to return to customary self-employment or participate in approved training programs as directed.

Such disqualification would persist until the claimant demonstrates earning wages equivalent to at least ten times their weekly benefit amount after the disqualifying event and has not left their last job under disqualifying circumstances.

1. Employer Reporting Mechanism: The administrator is tasked with creating an online or electronic form for employers to report suspected violations of work search requirements by claimants. Employers would be informed about the importance of reporting such violations at least annually.

The proposed effective date for this legislation is December 31, 2025.

Proposes amendments to R.S. 23:1172.3 concerning the collection of workers' compensation premiums. The bill seeks to clarify the conditions under which insurers can collect premiums following a premium audit.

Key provisions:

1.    Notification requirement: Insurers are prohibited from collecting payments arising from a premium audit unless they provide written notice to the insured within 90 days of the audit's completion. This notice must be delivered via certified mail, commercial courier, or electronic transmission.

2.    Time limit on premium audits: Insurers cannot modify or complete a premium audit more than three years after the end of the policy period. Exceptions to this limitation include cases involving misrepresentation, noncompliance by the insured, disputed audits, fraud investigations, or reclassifications determined by a court.

3.    Premium refunds: Insurers are permitted to return premiums to the insured if, as a result of a premium audit, it is determined that the insured is entitled to a refund.

4.    Exclusion of self-insurance funds: The provisions of this bill do not apply to self-insurance funds.

The bill aims to establish clear guidelines for the collection and auditing of workers' compensation premiums, ensuring timely communication between insurers and insured parties, and setting definitive time frames for audit activities.

Expands unemployment benefit eligibility to certain non-instructional school employees, such as crossing guards.

Summary: 

Current law prohibits school employees from receiving unemployment benefits during summer or holiday breaks if they are expected to return the following term. This bill removes that prohibition for employees in roles other than instructional, research, or principal administrative capacities.

Key Changes: 

- Repeals the ban on unemployment benefits for non-instructional school staff (e.g., crossing guards) during breaks between academic terms. 

- Allows such employees to receive benefits if otherwise eligible, but only during the summer period between two school terms.