HB4902 —

Compared against the Texas statutes as published AI-generated reading aid — verify against the official bill.

This bill amends 3 section(s) of the Texas statutes: Section 207.021(a), Labor Code, Section 207.047, Labor Code, Section 208.021(b), Labor Code.

• Section 207.021(a), Labor Code

  is actively seeking work → : (A) is actively seeking work; and (B) during each week of the benefit period, performed at least four of the following work search activities, subject to verification by the commission: (i) completed and submitted an application for a job, other than an application submitted while attending a job fair; (ii) submitted a resume to an employer that advertised an active job opening; (iii) attended a job fair and submitted at least one application for a job while attending the job fair; (iv) participated in a job interview; (v) after submitting a resume or application or participating in a job interview, responded to an employer's inquiry; or (vi) participated in a work search or professional training sponsored or approved by the commission

  amended

• Section 207.047, Labor Code

  or → ; or (4) respond to an employer's request for an interview or to attend a scheduled interview (c) An employer shall report to the commission any individual who: (1) refuses to return to work; (2) refuses a suitable offer of employment; (3) fails to respond to the employer's request for an interview; or (4) fails to attend a scheduled interview.

  amended

• Section 208.021(b), Labor Code

  (2) (3) → identity; (2) the claimant's (3) (4)

  amended

• Sec. 208.0211. DETERMINATION OF CLAIM VALIDITY. (a) In determining the validity of a claim under Section 208.021, the commission shall cross-check all new and recurring claims against: (1) the integrity data hub operated by the National Association of State Workforce Agencies; (2) the national directory of new hires maintained by the federal Office of Child Support Enforcement and a directory of new hires maintained by any other state; (3) death records maintained by this state; (4) records of persons who are incarcerated maintained by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice and the Federal Bureau of Prisons; and (5) the multifactor authentication mechanism established under Subsection (b). (b) For purposes of determining a claimant's identity under this section, the commission shall establish a multifactor authentication mechanism to verify the identity of a claimant who files a claim with the commission using the commission's Internet website. The multifactor authentication mechanism must verify at least two forms of identification submitted by the claimant. (c) The commission shall perform an additional cross-check and identity determination in the manner described by Subsections (a) and (b), as applicable, for each claim in which more than one claim is filed: (1) using the commission's Internet website and originating from the same Internet protocol address; (2) by mail using the same mailing address; or (3) in association with the same bank account. (d) The commission shall enter into a data-sharing agreement with each state agency that administers a social welfare program. The data-sharing agreement must provide that the state agency notify the commission if a person enrolled in a social welfare program administered by the agency becomes employed. For purposes of this subsection, "state agency" means a board, commission, department, or other agency in the executive branch of state government. (e) On confirmation that an individual no longer has a valid claim, the commission shall suspend the payment of benefits immediately. Sec. 208.0212. ANNUAL REPORT. Not later than March 1 of each year, the commission shall submit a report to the legislature relating to the validity of claims submitted to the commission under this chapter. The report must include: (1) the percentage of claims for benefits for which the commission was unable to perform a cross-check, as required by Section 208.0211, before paying or continuing to pay benefits under this subtitle during the preceding calendar year; (2) the total amount of benefits paid to claimants who the commission later found made false statements in their claims for those benefits during the preceding calendar year; (3) the number of invalid claims that the commission determined were invalid by conducting a cross-check required by Section 208.0211 and the estimated dollar amount of savings to this state, determined by the commission based on: (A) the number of claims the commission determined were invalid under this subdivision; (B) the average number of weeks each claimant received benefits under this subtitle; and (C) the average weekly benefit amount distributed to each claimant under this subtitle; and (4) for the total amount of benefits paid for invalid claims during the preceding calendar year, a list of at least four of the primary reasons why the commission was not able to recover those benefit payments.

  amended

• and may → ; and (C) rights to any benefits under this subtitle until the earlier of: (i) the end of the fifth calendar year following the last day of the benefit year in which the nondisclosure or misrepresentation occurred; or (ii) the date that the commission recovered from the claimant any benefits received by wilful nondisclosure or misrepresentation of a material fact and any penalty imposed under this section shall and the person shall forfeit rights to any benefit under this subtitle until the end of the fifth calendar year following the last day of the benefit year in which the attempted nondisclosure or misrepresentation occurred

  amended