BILL · 2021–22 SESSION
SB 5438: Unemployment/immigration
Providing unemployment benefits to workers who are unemployed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and not eligible for unemployment benefits due to immigration status.
Summary
- Establishes the Washington Unemployment Benefits for Immigrant Workers Program, which provides certain unemployment benefits to workers excluded from state unemployment insurance benefits due to immigration or citizenship status.
- Directs the Employment Security Department (ESD) to administer the program and adopt rules, and contains provisions on eligibility, application, benefit amount, disqualification, and information confidentiality.
- Creates the Unemployment Benefits for Immigrant Workers Account.
- Requires ESD to appoint an advisory committee to review issues and topics of interest related to the new program.
From the Senate Bill Report (SB 5438), written by the Legislature's nonpartisan staff. Read the full report ↗
Did not pass Did not pass · died in committee
- IntroducedFeb 9, 2021
- Out of committeestopped here
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- Governor
- Law
- Prime sponsor
- Rebecca Saldaña (D-37)
- Introduced
- February 9, 2021 in the Senate
- Last action
- January 10, 2022
AN ACT Relating to providing unemployment benefits to workers who are unemployed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and not eligible for unemployment benefits due to immigration status;
Sponsors
Prime sponsor: Rebecca Saldaña (D-37)
15 co-sponsors (15 Democrats, 0 Republicans)
Votes
No recorded floor votes. This measure never reached a floor vote.
History
- By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status.
- First reading, referred to Labor, Commerce & Tribal Affairs.
SB 5438 in other sessions
Bill numbers restart every two years, so the same number is a different bill in each session.
- SB 5438 (2025–26) Hydrofluorocarbons
- SB 5438 (2023–24) Supportive relationships
- SB 5438 (2019–20) Ag & seasonal workforce srv
- SB 5438 (2017–18) Impact statements/two years
- SB 5438 (2015–16) Bicycle, moped/stop, proceed
- SB 5438 (2013–14) Conservation by utility
- SB 5438 (2011–12) Dept of fish & wildlife land
- SB 5438 (2009–10) Victim input re: wrk release