Unemployment Insurance Technology Modernization Act of 2021
The source supplies the latest action, but no lifecycle stage.
Latest action (1 Mar 2021): Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
What this bill does
The Unemployment Insurance Technology Modernization Act of 2021 would direct the Department of Labor to study and improve the technology used for federal and state unemployment compensation programs. This includes developing and maintaining a modern technology system. The bill also sets accessibility requirements for filing unemployment claims online and prohibits certain automated systems from solely denying claims or appeals.
This legislation would affect individuals filing for unemployment benefits, employers involved in the system, and employees of state workforce agencies. The Department of Labor would be responsible for creating and overseeing the new technology. A pilot program involving at least four states would test the new system before full deployment.
The bill was introduced in the Senate in March 2021 by Senator Ron Wyden and has been referred to the Committee on Finance. As of now, its latest action is simply its introduction, meaning it has not yet been voted on by the committee or moved to the full Senate or House of Representatives for consideration.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
Unemployment Insurance Technology Modernization Act of 2021
This bill requires the Department of Labor to study and report on the technology needs of federal and state unemployment compensation programs. Based on this study, Labor must develop, operate, and maintain a modular set of technology capabilities to modernize the delivery of unemployment compensation.
Before the deployment of the technology capabilities to all states, Labor must select at least four states to participate in a pilot program to test the technology capabilities and demonstrate that they meet requirements.
The bill establishes accessibility requirements for filing online unemployment compensation claims. In addition, it prohibits the technology capabilities from relying solely on a high-risk automated decision system to (1) deny a claim for unemployment compensation, (2) reduce the amount of unemployment compensation for which a claimant is eligible, or (3) deny a claimant's right to appeal an unemployment compensation decision.
Timeline
1 Mar 2021
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
Common questions
- What does S. 490 do?
- The Unemployment Insurance Technology Modernization Act of 2021 would direct the Department of Labor to study and improve the technology used for federal and state unemployment compensation programs. This includes developing and maintaining a modern technology system. The bill also sets accessibility requirements for filing unemployment claims online and prohibits certain automated systems from solely denying claims or appeals. This legislation would affect individuals filing for unemployment benefits, employers involved in the system, and employees of state workforce agencies. The Department of Labor would be responsible for creating and overseeing the new technology. A pilot program involving at least four states would test the new system before full deployment. The bill was introduced in the Senate in March 2021 by Senator Ron Wyden and has been referred to the Committee on Finance. As of now, its latest action is simply its introduction, meaning it has not yet been voted on by the committee or moved to the full Senate or House of Representatives for consideration.
- Has S. 490 become law?
- The source does not supply a confirmed lifecycle stage for S. 490. Check the latest action and official source below.
- Who sponsored S. 490?
- S. 490 was sponsored by Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR] (D-OR), with 21 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on S. 490?
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (1 Mar 2021).
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