House Republican Press Release

 

 

 

April 24, 2008

Press Office: 860-240-8700

 

Rep. Hamzy: Senate Gives Final Approval to Bill Preserving Unemployment Compensation for Military Spouses

 

Legislation sent to Governor Rell to be signed into Law

The state Senate has given final legislative approval to a bill that would ensure that civilian spouses who leave their jobs to accompany their military husbands or wives when they are reassigned to out-of-state bases will not lose their eligibility for unemployment compensation on June 30th, state Representative William A. Hamzy, who cosponsored the measure, said today.

The proposal (House Bill 5438), which passed the House April 16 on a vote of 145 – 0, also was approved unanimously by the state Senate Wednesday. The legislation, which will make eligibility for unemployment compensation permanent for civilian spouses who resign their jobs to relocate with their families, now goes to Governor Rell to be signed into law.

Under current law, civilian spouses who voluntarily leave their jobs to accompany their husbands or wives in the military to out-of-state bases when they receive orders to relocate were only eligible for unemployment compensation if they left their jobs between July 1, 2007 and June 30, 2008.

 “Military spouses anticipating redeployment to out-of-state bases can breathe easier today, knowing that their civilian spouses who work to help support their families will not be denied unemployment compensation if they leave their jobs after June 30th,” said Representative Hamzy, R-78th District. “The state Senate’s unanimous approval of the bill preserving eligibility for unemployment compensation for civilian spouses was the right thing to do. Many military spouses simply cannot provide adequately for their families on their salaries alone.”

“When military families are reassigned to out-of-state bases and lose the additional income earned by their civilian spouses, unemployment compensation can ease the financial hardship that can come with the loss of a second paycheck,” Representative Hamzy said. “I congratulate my colleagues in the House and Senate for supporting our men and women in uniform by voting unanimously to enact this legislation.  Governor Rell is a compassionate person and I believe she will take pride in signing this bill into law.”