1

A bill to be entitled

2

An act relating to unemployment compensation benefits;

3

amending s. 443.111, F.S.; authorizing the Agency for

4

Workforce Innovation to develop a system for the payment

5

of benefits by electronic funds transfer; requiring the

6

agency to adopt rules necessary to administer the system;

7

providing an effective date.

8

9

Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:

10

11

     Section 1.  Paragraph (a) of subsection (1) of section

12

443.111, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

13

     443.111  Payment of benefits.--

14

     (1)  MANNER OF PAYMENT.--Benefits are payable from the fund

15

in accordance with rules adopted by the Agency for Workforce

16

Innovation, subject to the following requirements:

17

     (a)  Benefits are payable by mail or electronically.

18

Notwithstanding s. 409.942(4), the agency may develop a system

19

for the payment of benefits by electronic funds transfer,

20

including, but not limited to, debit cards, electronic payment

21

cards, or any other means of electronic payment that the agency

22

deems to be commercially viable or cost-effective. The agency

23

shall adopt rules necessary to administer the system.

24

     Section 2.  This act shall take effect July 1, 2008.