*NOTE: This section was created by temporary legislation that will expire on February 4, 2022.*
*NOTE: Pursuant to sections 2 and 3 of D.C. Act 24-9, this section shall expire on September 5, 2021.*
*NOTE: This section includes amendments by emergency legislation that will expire on October 22, 2021. To view the text of the temporary legislation that created this section, click this link: Temporary Version.*
*NOTE: This section includes amendments by emergency legislation that will expire on November 3, 2021. To view the text of the temporary legislation that created this section, click this link: Temporary Version.*
(a) Notwithstanding any provision of District law, but subject to applicable federal laws and regulations, an affected employee shall be eligible for unemployment insurance in accordance with subsection (b) of this section.
(b)(1) Upon application, an affected employee shall receive unemployment insurance compensation ("UI"), which the Director of the Department of Employment Services shall administer under the Unemployment Compensation Program established pursuant to subchapter I of this chapter.
(2) An affected employee shall be eligible for UI regardless of whether the:
(A) Employer has provided a date certain for the employee's return to work; or
(B) Employee has a reasonable expectation of continued employment with the current employer.
(3) For an affected employee, the term "most recent work" shall mean the employer for whom the individual last performed at least one day of employment as that term is defined by § 51-101(2)(B).
(c) Benefits paid pursuant to this section shall not be charged to the experience rating accounts of employers.
(d) For the purposes of this section, the term "affected employee" means an employee who, except as provided in subsection (g) of this section, is otherwise eligible for UI pursuant to § 51-109 and who is determined by the Mayor to have become unemployed or partially unemployed as a result of the circumstances giving rise to the public health emergency. The term "affected employee" includes an employee who has been quarantined or isolated by the Department of Health or any other applicable District or federal agency, an employee who has self-quarantined or self-isolated in a manner consistent with the recommendations or guidance of the Department of Health, any other applicable District or federal agency, or a medical professional, or an employee of an employer that ceased or reduced operations due to an order or guidance from the Mayor or the Department of Health or a reduction in business revenue resulting from the circumstances giving rise to the public health emergency, as determined by the Mayor, all as demonstrated by reasonable documentation required by the Mayor or the Mayor's designee.
(e) For the purposes of a public health emergency, "good cause" as set forth in § 51-110 shall include:
(1) An employer's failure to timely comply with a written directive from the Mayor or the Department of Health in relation to public safety measures necessary to protect its employees or the public during the public health emergency; or
(2) An employer's requirements that an employee be physically present in the workplace despite the employee having:
(A) Been quarantined or isolated by the Department of Health or any other applicable District or federal agency; or
(B) Self-quarantined or self-isolated in a manner consistent with the recommendations or guidance of the Department of Health, any other applicable District or federal agency, or a medical professional.
(f) If the Mayor determines that the payment of UI under this section may not be made from the District Unemployment Fund or from the unemployment fund of another jurisdiction due to federal law or regulation, payment may be made by the Mayor from any other source of funds that is available.
(g) Notwithstanding any provision of District law, but subject to applicable federal laws and regulations, the requirements of:
(1) Section 51-109(a)(4)(B) shall not apply before August 30, 2021; and
(2) Section 51-109(a)(5) shall not apply.
(June 24, 2021, D.C. Law 24-9, § 101, 68 DCR 004824; July 24, 2021, D.C. Act 24-125, § 3(a), 68 DCR 007342; Aug. 5, 2021, D.C. Act 24-158, § 3(a), 68 DCR 008014.)
Emergency LegislationFor temporary (90 days) amendment of this section, see §3(a) of the Recess Reprogramming Emergency Amendment Act of 2021 (D.C. Act 24-158, Aug. 5, 2020, 0 DCR 0)
For temporary (90 days) amendment of this section, see § 3(a) of Public Emergency Extension and Eviction and Utility Moratorium Phasing Emergency Amendment Act of 2021 (D.C. Act 24-125, July 24, 2021, 68 DCR 007342).
For temporary (90 days) creation of this section, see § 101 of Coronavirus Support Congressional Review Emergency Amendment Act of 2021 (D.C. Act 24-96, June 7, 2021, 68 DCR 006025).
For temporary (90 days) creation of this section, see § 101 of Coronavirus Support Emergency Amendment Act of 2021 (D.C. Act 24-30, Mar. 17, 2021, 68 DCR 003101).
For temporary (90 days) creation of this section, see § 101 of Coronavirus Support Second Congressional Review Emergency Amendment Act of 2020 (D.C. Act 23-405, Aug. 19, 2020, 67 DCR 10235).
For temporary (90 days) creation of this section, see § 101 of Coronavirus Support Congressional Review Emergency Amendment Act of 2020 (D.C. Act 23-328, June 8, 2020, 67 DCR 7598).
For temporary (90 days) creation of this section, see § 101 of Coronavirus Support Emergency Amendment Act of 2020 (D.C. Act 23-326, May 27, 2020, 67 DCR 7045).
For temporary (90 days) creation of this section, see § 101 of COVID-19 Response Emergency Amendment Act of 2020 (D.C. Act 23-247, Mar. 17, 2020, 67 DCR 3093).
Temporary LegislationFor temporary (225 days) creation of this section, see § 101 of Coronavirus Support Temporary Amendment Act of 2021 (D.C. Law 24-9, June 24, 2021, 68 DCR 004824).
For temporary (225 days) creation of this section, see § 101 of Coronavirus Support Temporary Amendment Act of 2020 (D.C. Law 23-130, Oct. 9, 2020, 67 DCR 8622).