1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to unemployment compensation; modifying definitions; amending 
1.3 	Minnesota Statutes 2008, sections 268.035, subdivision 21a; 268.085, 
1.4 	subdivision 15.
1.5 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.6 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 268.035, subdivision 21a, is amended to 
1.7 	read:
1.8 		Subd. 21a.Reemployment assistance training. (a) An applicant is in 
1.9 	"reemployment assistance training" when:
1.10 	(1) a reasonable and opportunity for suitable employment for the applicant does not 
1.11 	exist in the labor market area and it is necessary that the applicant receive additional
1.12 	training in order to obtain will assist the applicant in obtaining suitable employment;
1.13 	(2) the curriculum, facilities, staff, and other essentials are adequate to achieve the 
1.14 	training objective;
1.15 	(3) the training is vocational in nature or short term academic training vocationally
1.16 	directed to an occupation or skill for which there are reasonable that will substantially 
1.17 	enhance the employment opportunities available to the applicant in the applicant's labor 
1.18 	market area;
1.19 	(4) the training course is considered full time by the training provider; and
1.20 	(5) the applicant is making satisfactory progress in the training.
1.21 	(b) Full-time training provided through the dislocated worker program, the Trade 
1.22 	Act of 1974, as amended, or the North American Free Trade Agreement is considered 
1.23 	"reemployment assistance training," if that training course is in accordance with the 
1.24 	requirements of that program.
2.1 	(c) Apprenticeship training provided in order to meet the requirements of an 
2.2 	apprenticeship program under chapter 178 is considered "reemployment assistance 
2.3 	training."
2.4 	(d) An applicant is considered in reemployment assistance training only if the 
2.5 	training course has actually started or is scheduled to start within 30 calendar days.

2.6 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective for determinations and appeal 
2.7 	decisions issued on or after the day following final enactment.

2.8 	Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 268.085, subdivision 15, is amended to read:
2.9 		Subd. 15.Available for suitable employment defined. (a) "Available for suitable 
2.10 	employment" means an applicant is ready and willing to accept suitable employment in 
2.11 	the labor market area. The attachment to the work force must be genuine. An applicant 
2.12 	may restrict availability to suitable employment, but there must be no other restrictions, 
2.13 	either self-imposed or created by circumstances, temporary or permanent, that prevent 
2.14 	accepting suitable employment.
2.15 	(b) Unless the applicant is in reemployment assistance training, to be considered 
2.16 	"available for suitable employment," a student who has regularly scheduled classes must 
2.17 	be willing to quit school discontinue classes to accept suitable employment when:
2.18 	(1) class attendance restricts the applicant from accepting suitable employment; and
2.19 	(2) the applicant is unable to change the scheduled class or make other arrangements 
2.20 	that excuse the applicant from attending class.
2.21 	(c) An applicant who is absent from the labor market area for personal reasons, other 
2.22 	than to search for work, is not "available for suitable employment."
2.23 	(d) An applicant who has restrictions on the hours of the day or days of the week 
2.24 	that the applicant can or will work, that are not normal for the applicant's usual occupation 
2.25 	or other suitable employment, is not "available for suitable employment." An applicant 
2.26 	must be available for daytime employment, if suitable employment is performed during 
2.27 	the daytime, even though the applicant previously worked the night shift.
2.28 	(e) An applicant must have transportation throughout the labor market area to be 
2.29 	considered "available for suitable employment."

2.30 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective for determinations and appeal 
2.31 	decisions issued on or after the day following final enactment.