1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to unemployment insurance; providing limited eligibility for benefits 
1.3 	during a voluntary leave;proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, 
1.4 	chapter 268.
1.5 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.6 	Section 1. [268.088] BENEFITS PAID DURING CERTAIN VOLUNTARY 
1.7 	UNEMPLOYMENT.
1.8 	(a) An applicant who elects to become temporarily unemployed in order to avoid 
1.9 	the layoff of another employee with the applicant's employer due to lack of work is 
1.10 	not ineligible for benefits under the leave of absence provisions of section 268.085, 
1.11 	subdivision 13a, nor ineligible under the quit provisions of section 268.095, if:
1.12 	(1) the election is authorized under a collective bargaining agreement or written 
1.13 	employer policy;
1.14 	(2) the employer has accepted the applicant's election;
1.15 	(3) the employer provides a written certification that is provided to the department 
1.16 	that the applicant's election prevented another employee with the employer from being 
1.17 	laid off due to lack of work; and 
1.18 	(4) both the applicant and the employer, at the time of the election, expect the 
1.19 	applicant's unemployment from the employer to be temporary.
1.20 	(b) In addition to the requirements of paragraph (a), for unemployment benefits to be 
1.21 	payable, an applicant must meet all the other benefit eligibility requirements under this 
1.22 	chapter, including being available for suitable employment with a different employer.