WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

H 175

An act relating to clarifying the right of adjunct faculty to receive unemployment insurance benefits

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Conor Casey and 1 co-sponsor

Clarifies and specifies eligibility for unemployment benefits for adjunct/part-time faculty, ensuring a clearer framework for UI access and processing.

Rep. Mihaly of Calais moved that the Committee on General and Housing be relieved of the bill and that the same be committed to the Committee on Commerce and Economic Development, which was agreed to
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · H 175

Overview

House Bill H.175 (Session 2025-2026, Vermont) is titled: “An act relating to clarifying the right of adjunct faculty to receive unemployment insurance benefits.” The bill appears to focus on ensuring or clarifying access to unemployment insurance (UI) for adjunct faculty. The action history shows initial scheduling changes between committees, with a transfer of the bill from the General and Housing Committee to the Commerce and Economic Development Committee.

Purpose and intent

  • Clarify and potentially expand or specify the eligibility of adjunct or part-time faculty for unemployment insurance benefits.
  • Address ambiguities in current unemployment insurance law as it applies to adjunct or non-tenure-track faculty, who often work on limited-term or variable-hour appointments.
  • Provide a clearer framework to determine eligibility, benefits, and processes for adjunct faculty seeking UI benefits.

Key provisions (as implied by title and action history)

  • Reassignment of committee jurisdiction: The bill was moved from the Committee on General and Housing to the Committee on Commerce and Economic Development for consideration, suggesting the provisions may have implications related to economic development, workforce, or UI administration.
  • Clarification of eligibility criteria: The core aim is to clarify rights to unemployment benefits for adjunct faculty, likely addressing:
    • Whether adjuncts who work a certain number of hours or earnings in a given period qualify for UI.
    • How layoffs, contract non-renewals, or reduced teaching loads affect eligibility.
    • Calculation methods for benefits when adjuncts have multiple short-term contracts.
  • Administrative and procedural details: Possible provisions may cover:
    • Documentation required for adjuncts to establish eligibility.
    • Roles of the Vermont Department of Labor and UI program in adjudicating claims.
    • Timelines for filing determinations and appeals.

Note: The exact statutory text is not provided, so the above reflects the typical scope of “clarifying rights to unemployment insurance benefits” in relation to adjunct faculty.

Who and what is affected

  • Affected party: Adjunct faculty and other non-tenure-track instructors who work on limited-term or variable-hour contracts.
  • Employers: Colleges and universities in Vermont employing adjunct faculty, including public and private institutions that participate in UI coverage.
  • State agencies: Vermont Department of Labor and related UI program administrators who implement unemployment benefits and eligibility determinations.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Introduction and first referral: Read in the House and referred to the Committee on General and Housing (February 11, 2025).
  • Committee transfer: The bill was moved to the Committee on Commerce and Economic Development for consideration (February 19, 2025), indicating a possible shift toward economic/workforce implications or UI administration.
  • Current status: Based on the action history, the bill has not yet reported back or become law; further committee work would determine amendments and potential passage.

Potential impacts

  • Clarified access to UI for adjunct faculty could increase stability for instructors with irregular or short-term appointments.
  • Institutions may need to adjust HR policies or contract practices to align with clarified UI eligibility rules.
  • State UI administration may issue guidance or rules to implement the clarified eligibility standards.

If you’d like, I can compare this bill to current Vermont UI statute language or provide a hypothetical summary of potential amendments once the bill’s text is available.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.