BATEMAN BILL DENIES CONVICTS TDI BENEFITS

Collection Of Disability Benefits Would Be To Limited Law Abiding Citizens

Legislation sponsored by Senator Christopher "Kip" Bateman which would deny incarcerated individuals Temporary Disability Benefits passed the Senate Labor Committee today.

"It is just common sense that anyone serving time in prison for a crime be denied state disability benefits, " Bateman stated. "This bill will close a loophole that has existed for far too long."

The "Temporary Disability Benefits Law, was enacted to protect those workers unemployed because of illness or injury. The program covers all employers and employees who are subject to the unemployment compensation law. Benefits are payable after the first seven days of the period of disability, up to a total of 26 weeks.

This bill would deny payment to any person who is either incarcerated or has pleaded guilty to a criminal offense for the reason that these individuals are not eligible for employment and therefore the law's purpose, which is wage replacement, is therefore not applicable to them.

This bill would prohibit paying benefits to anyone confined to a State, federal, or municipal penal institution, or in a medical facility.

"Payment of Temporary Disability Benefits should be limited to hard working law abiding citizens. Not convicts getting three hots and a cot on the taxpayer's dime, "Bateman concluded.