Pennsylvania House Bill HB1690

Pennsylvania 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 7/1/25
• Refer: 7/1/25

Caption

In compensation, further providing for qualifications required to secure compensation.

Summary

HB1690 amends Pennsylvania’s Unemployment Compensation Law to require claimants to report certain benefit sources and leave statuses to the Department of Labor and Industry when determining eligibility for unemployment compensation. The bill specifically covers workers’ compensation disability benefits, federal Social Security disability insurance benefits, private disability insurance benefits, and unpaid leave under the federal Family and Medical Leave Act. The practical effect is to give the department clearer information about whether a claimant is able and available for suitable work, which is a core eligibility requirement for unemployment benefits. By adding these reporting obligations, the bill aims to improve eligibility determinations and reduce improper payments where a claimant may already be receiving disability-related benefits or be on leave that affects work availability. The act would take effect six months after enactment.

Impact

The bill would amend Section 401(d) of the Unemployment Compensation Law, expanding claimant disclosure requirements in the eligibility process. It does not create a new benefit program or change employer contribution rules, but it would affect unemployed claimants who receive workers’ compensation, Social Security disability, private disability payments, or unpaid FMLA leave, as well as the Department of Labor and Industry, which would use the reported information to assess eligibility.

Sentiment

No committee transcript or vote record is available for HB1690, so there is no documented debate or recorded sentiment in the provided materials. Based on the text alone, the bill appears administrative and targeted at eligibility verification rather than a broad policy change, suggesting it may be framed as a program-integrity measure.

Contention

The main potential point of contention is whether requiring disclosure of disability-related benefits and unpaid leave could make the unemployment process more burdensome for claimants or lead to stricter eligibility screening. Supporters would likely view the bill as a way to prevent duplicate benefits and ensure claimants are truly available for work, while critics might argue it could complicate access for people with disabilities, medical leave, or mixed benefit situations. No specific stakeholder positions are provided in the record.