State Rep Proposes Bill to Remove Obstacle to Employment

State Rep Proposes Bill to Remove Obstacle to Employment

State Rep Joseph McNamara will propose a bill that will allow people to continue to collect unemployment benefits while they are in a state-approved training program at with a private employer.

In a news release, McNamara said the bill would remove disincentives to leaving the unemployment rolls and ease fears in the private sector about training new workers.

“While there are signs that there is an economic recovery going on in the country, it is not going as quickly as everyone would hope and unemployment numbers continue to be high, especially in our state,” said McNamara, D-Dist. 19, Warwick, Cranston. “Employers, especially small businesses, remain uncertain about taking on new employees and new salaries, and it can be a very difficult decision for some Rhode Islanders on unemployment to give up benefits for a job that may not last or for an entry level/training position that pays less than the benefit check.”

GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST

McNamara will submit the bill, dubbed The Rhode Island Return to Work Act, to the state House of Representatives at the start of the new session, in January.