Kentucky HB 437 repeals the one-week waiting period for unemployment benefits and modifies work search verification rules

Original title: AN ACT relating to unemployment benefits.

Last action · January 28, 2026: to Economic Development & Workforce Investment (H)Sponsors: Felicia Rabourn and 5 others

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What This Bill Proposed

Kentucky HB 437 removes the requirement that unemployed workers serve a one-week waiting period before collecting benefits. The measure also eliminates weekly audit reporting mandates for the cabinet and amends definitions relating to s for workers' compensation recipients.

Why it matters

Unemployed claimants can begin receiving payments one week earlier than under current law, altering the timing of initial financial assistance for workers statewide.

Background

Kentucky HB 437 was introduced in the 2026 regular session and assigned to the House Economic Development & Workforce Investment committee. context

Who It Would Have Affected

Groups the bill's text would have affected, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.

Directly affected

unemployed workers

Claimants can receive benefit payments immediately without serving an initial unpaid waiting week.

Directly affected

employers

Employers or insurance carriers must provide written notice and eligibility verification to workers before workers' compensation benefits expire.

Key Facts

You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does HB 437 still require claimants to search for work?

Yes. Claimants must still engage in at least five verifiable work search activities each week, including at least three formal job applications or interviews.

What changes regarding the waiting period for benefits?

The bill completely removes the requirement for a one-week waiting period at the start of an initial unemployment claim.

What else do you want to know?

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Where This Stands

This bill did not become law - Died at adjournment · in House committee.

Procedural history

2 actions

Jan 28, 2026HouseCommittee
to Economic Development & Workforce Investment (H)
Jan 20, 2026HouseIntroduced
introduced in House to Committee on Committees (H)

Version history

Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.

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