House Approves Bill To Allow Essential Federal Workers To Collect Unemployment During Shutdown

With the deadline for another federal government shutdown looming, the Maryland House of Delegates has approved a bill that would allow federal workers forced to go on the job during a shutdown to apply for unemployment benefits.

The bill was approved by a vote of 119-20.

The emergency bill would take effect as soon as it's passed by lawmakers and signed by Gov. Larry Hogan.

The bill is sponsored by freshman Democratic Del. Jessica Feldmark, who represents parts of Baltimore and Howard counties.

Under the bill, workers who collect unemployment would have to reimburse the state once they start collecting their regular paychecks.

A similar bill has been introduced in the Senate, and received a hearing last week in the Senate Finance Committee.

The bill's Senate sponsor, Democrat Brian Feldman of Montgomery County, said the legislation is only fair to essential workers who are forced to go to work without pay.

Under current law, workers who were furloughed but who are not forced to go to work are eligible to apply for unemployment benefits.

During the last shutdown, the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation estimates 4,100 workers applied for unemployment benefits.

The Department of Legislative services estimates that during the recent shutdown, 20,000 to 22,000 federal workers were reporting to work at federal facilities in Maryland and were not being paid.

Under the bill the workers would be eligible for benefits of up to $430 per week for 26 weeks.

The department estimates that if all of those workers take the maximum benefits, it would cost the state's unemployment fund $246-million.

Hogan aides have previously said he supports the bill, but would rather see President Donald Trump and congressional leaders avoid a shutdown. As of Thursday morning, the fight in Washington appeared headed for a resolution, with a compromise that would provide little toward the wall Trump has demanded along the U.S.-Mexico border.

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