Relating to information provided to the department of workforce development during the fact-finding process for claims for unemployment benefits

This bill requires the department of workforce development to establish a process whereby a claimant and an employer may each provide information to the department prior to the department’s fact-finding process for a claim for unemployment benefits without the presence of or participation by the other party. The department shall make any information provided by a party in this way available to the other party following the conclusion of each party’s statement during the joint fact-finding meeting interview. At the request of either party, the department shall provide such information to each party without the presence of or participation by the other party. The bill requires the department to give each party an opportunity to provide a rebuttal or response to information provided by the other party prior to the department’s initial determination of the validity of the claim. At the request of either party, the department shall provide such an opportunity without the presence of or participation by the other party. Information provided to the department pursuant to the bill shall be subject to the same standards applicable to other information obtained by the department during the fact-finding process for claims for unemployment benefits.