On Wednesday, May 1, PA Senate lawmakers voted to pass legislation to improve the integrity of Pennsylvania’s unemployment compensation (UC) system, in the process defeating an amendment that would have had dramatic negative consequences for employers.

Lawmakers voted 31-19 to pass Senate Bill 1109, which would help address a trend in which job candidates admit they are only applying to comply with the state’s work search requirement in order to maintain their UC eligibility. Furthermore, these individuals often fail to show up for job interviews or work, a practice known as “ghosting.” 

Senate Bill 1109 would codify that an individual is not eligible for benefits if they discourage their own employment. The bill will not affect the vast majority of UC claimants who are utilizing the program appropriately and actively seeking employment. 

Additionally, Senators defeated an anti-business amendment that, if passed, would have extended UC eligibility to individuals who voluntarily go on strike.  

This proposed amendment would have undermined the purpose of the UC system, made Pennsylvania a less attractive place to do business, and is so egregious that even California’s Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom recently vetoed a similar proposal, citing the massive financial impact it would have on their UC system.

CLICK HERE to see how your legislator voted on the bill.

• If their name is in GREEN, they voted "YES."
• If their name is in RED, they voted "NO."