HB1582

House Bill 1582 amends the Arkansas Division of Workforce Services law regarding unemployment insurance eligibility requirements. The bill mandates that individuals claiming benefits must register on the state-maintained job board and include their work history and credentials. It requires claimants to perform at least five work search contacts per week and report these as part of their weekly certification. The bill introduces an automated matching system on the state job board that links claimants to open positions for which they possess at least 75% of the required qualifications. Claimants are encouraged to prioritize applications for these matched positions to fulfill their weekly work search requirements. The bill also establishes that failure to meet the weekly work search contact quota results in the forfeiture of benefits for that week. Finally, it mandates that the Division of Workforce Services perform audits of at least 100 work search reports per week. The act is set to become effective on January 1, 2026.