Bill lets victims of domestic violence get jobless benefits

Those out of work to flee attackers would be eligible for money

PAUL QUEARY, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Originally published Wednesday, March 6, 2002

OLYMPIA -- Victims of domestic violence or stalking who are forced to quit their jobs as they flee their attackers would be eligible for unemployment benefits under a bill passed Tuesday by the Legislature.

Workers who leave their jobs voluntarily aren't generally eligible for unemployment payments. House Bill 1248 would exempt victims of stalking and domestic violence who quit to protect themselves or their immediate families.

Domestic violence victims -- overwhelmingly women -- sometimes must flee their homes and communities to avoid further violence. A woman in such straits often must also quit her job because her attacker can easily find her there, said Sen. Betti Sheldon.

"She faces an enormous economic challenge," said Sheldon, D-Bremerton. "She is also giving up her livelihood."

The bill, sponsored by Rep. Lynn Kessler, D-Hoquiam, passed 40-8 and now goes to Gov. Gary Locke.

Most of the opposition came from Republicans who object to paying such benefits from the state's unemployment insurance fund, which comes from premiums paid by employers.

"Washington employers should not have to foot the bill for domestic violence," said Sen. Jim Honeyford, R-Sunnyside, who offered an amendment to pay the benefits elsewhere in the state budget. "It's society's problem, and society should pay for it."

Honeyford's amendment failed 23-25. Opponents pointed out that the bill did not call for individual employers to pay the costs, but spreads them around to all employers.

Connecticut, which has a similar law, had 47 cases in 18 months for a total cost of $169,000, Sheldon said, a tiny amount compared to the massive unemployment fund.

"This is not a big hit on the unemployment fund," Sheldon said.

The Senate also passed:

- House Bill 2595, by Rep. Jeff Morris, D-Anacortes, to increase taxes on cellular telephones to pay for 9-1-1 emergency services.

The existing county tax on cellular phone lines would increase from a maximum of 25 cents to 50 cents, and the state would collect a new tax of 20 cents. The bill passed 42-6.

- House Bill 1856, by Rep. Dave Morell, R-Puyallup, encouraging schools to grant excused absences to students involved in search-and-rescue efforts.

The bill passed 48-0 and now goes back to the House for a vote on the Senate changes.

The Olympian Copyright 2002

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