TITLE 19

Labor

Unemployment Compensation

CHAPTER 31. Unemployment Insurance Appeal Board

Subchapter II. Powers and Duties; Administrative Provisions

§ 3121. Employment stabilization.

The Department of Labor, hereinafter referred to in this chapter as the “Department”, shall take all appropriate steps to:

(1) Reduce and prevent unemployment;

(2) Encourage and assist in the adoption of practical methods of vocational training, retraining and vocational guidance;

(3) Investigate, recommend, advise and assist in the establishment and operation, by municipalities, counties, school districts and the State, of reserves for public works to be used in time of business depression and unemployment;

(4) Promote the reemployment of unemployed workers throughout the State in every other way that may be feasible; and

(5) Carry on and publish the results of investigations and research studies to further these ends.

41 Del. Laws, c. 258, §  11;  19 Del. C. 1953, §  3122;  57 Del. Laws, c. 669, §  4F

§ 3122. General and special rules; regulations.

General and special rules may be adopted, amended or rescinded by the Department only after public hearing or opportunity to be heard thereon, of which proper notice has been given. General rules shall become effective 10 days after filing with the Secretary of State and publication in 1 or more newspapers of general circulation in this State. Special rules shall become effective 10 days after notification to or mailing to the last known address of the individuals or concerns affected thereby. Regulations may be adopted, amended or rescinded by the Department and shall become effective in the manner and at the time prescribed by the Department.

41 Del. Laws, c. 258, §  11;  19 Del. C. 1953, §  3123;  57 Del. Laws, c. 669, §  4G

§ 3123. Recommendations for legislation.

Whenever the Department believes that a change in assessment or benefit rates will become necessary to protect the solvency of the Fund, it shall promptly so inform the Governor and the General Assembly and make recommendations with respect thereto.

41 Del. Laws, c. 258, §  1144 Del. Laws, c. 207, §  12;  19 Del. C. 1953, §  3124;  53 Del. Laws, c. 79, §  157 Del. Laws, c. 669, §§  4E, 4G

§ 3124. Publication and distribution of regulations and rules.

The Department shall cause to be printed for distribution to the public the text of this part, its regulations and general and special rules, its annual reports to the Governor and any other material it deems relevant and suitable and shall furnish the same to any person upon application therefor.

41 Del. Laws, c. 258, §  11;  19 Del. C. 1953, §  3125;  57 Del. Laws, c. 669, §  4G

§ 3125. Records and reports from employing units; disclosure of information; use of information at hearings or on appeal; penalty.

(a) (1) Each employing unit shall keep true and accurate records containing such information as the Department prescribes. Such records shall be open to inspection and subject to be copied by the Department or its authorized representatives at any reasonable time and as often as necessary. The Department may require from any employing unit any sworn or unsworn reports with respect to persons employed by such employing unit which the Department deems necessary for the effective administration of this part. Information thus obtained or obtained from any individual pursuant to the administration of this part shall, except to the extent necessary for the proper presentation of a claim, be held confidential and shall not be published or be open to public inspection other than to a member or employees of agencies as specified in paragraphs (a)(2), (3) and (4) of this section, in any manner revealing the individual’s or employing unit’s identity, but any claimant, or claimant’s legal representative, shall be supplied with information from such records to the extent necessary for the proper presentation of claimant’s claim.

(2) The Department shall disclose, upon request, to officers or employees of any state or local child support enforcement agency, any wage information and unemployment compensation claim information with respect to an individual which is contained in its records. For the purposes of this paragraph:

a. The term “state or local child enforcement agency” means any agency of a state or political subdivision thereof operating pursuant to a plan described in § 454 of the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. § 654], which has been approved by the Secretary of Health and Human Services under part D, Title IV of the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. § 651 et seq.].

b. The requesting agency shall agree that such information is to be used only for the purpose of establishing and collecting child support obligations which are being enforced pursuant to a plan described in § 454 of the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. § 654] which has been approved by the Secretary of Health and Human Services under part D, Title IV of the Social Security Act or for the establishment of paternity or the establishment, modification, or enforcement of child support orders pursuant to § 466(c)(1) of the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. § 666(c)] as amended by § 325(a)(2) of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996.

c. The information shall not be released unless the requesting agency agrees to reimburse the costs involved for furnishing such information.

d. In accordance with § 303(c) of the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. § 503], as amended by § 313(d) of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, a state or local child support enforcement agency may disclose to an agent of that agency for purposes of establishing and collecting child support obligations from and locating individuals owing such obligations, the information provided by the Department under this subsection.

e. In addition to the requirements of this paragraph, all other requirements with respect to confidentiality of information obtained in the administration of this section and the sanctions imposed on improper disclosure shall apply to the use of such information by officers of such child support agencies.

(3) The Department shall disclose, upon request to officers and employees of the United States Department of Agriculture and any state food stamp agency, with respect to an identified individual, any of the following information which is contained in its records:

a. Wage information;

b. Whether the individual is receiving, has received or has made application for unemployment compensation and the amount of any compensation being received or to be received by such individual;

c. The current or most recent home address of the individual; and

d. Whether the individual has refused an offer of employment and if so, a description of the employment offered and the terms, conditions and rate of pay therefor; and

e. Provided that, for the purposes of this paragraph:

1. The term “state food stamp agency” means any agency described in § 3(n)(1) of the Food Stamp Act of 1977 [7 U.S.C. § 2012] which administers the food stamp program established under such Act.

2. The requesting agency shall agree that such information shall be used only for purposes of determining the applicant’s eligibility for benefits, or the amount of benefits, under the food stamp program established under the Food Stamp Act of 1977 [7 U.S.C. § 2011 et seq.].

3. In addition to the requirements of this paragraph, all other requirements with respect to confidentiality of information obtained in the administration of this section and the sanctions imposed for improper disclosure of information obtained in the administration of this section shall apply to the use of such information by the officers and employees of any food stamp agency or the United States Department of Agriculture.

(4) The Department shall disclose information, the release of which is otherwise prohibited, to officials and employees of governmental agencies in the performance of their official duties, as it may by regulation permit, provided:

a. The regulation specifies the type of information to be released and the uses to which the information may be put, consistent with the administration of the unemployment laws of Delaware and other legitimate governmental interests;

b. The information shall not be released unless the requesting agency agrees to reimburse the costs for furnishing such information;

c. In addition to the requirements of this paragraph, all other requirements with respect to the confidentiality of information obtained in the administration of this section and the sanctions imposed for improper disclosure shall apply to the use of such information by officials and employees of agencies to which information is released pursuant to this paragraph;

d. The regulation specifies that the Secretary of Labor of the United States may obtain all information essential to the performance of the Secretary’s official duties without an agreement to reimburse costs.

(b) Any employee of the Department, an appeal tribunal or the Unemployment Insurance Appeal Board who violates any provision of this section shall be fined not less than $23 nor more than $230, or imprisoned not more than 90 days or both.

(c) (1) If any employing unit neglects or refuses to file with the Department a required report with respect to persons employed by the employing unit within 5 days after the report is due, the employing unit is subject to a penalty of 15% of the total amount of contributions paid or payable by the employing unit unless 1 of the following applies:

a. If the penalty calculated under this paragraph (c)(1) is less than $100, the penalty is $100.

b. If the penalty calculated under this paragraph (c)(1) is more than $450, the penalty is $450.

(2) The penalties under paragraph (c)(1) of this section are in addition to any other penalties provided for in this part.

41 Del. Laws, c. 258, §  1143 Del. Laws, c. 280, §  16;  19 Del. C. 1953, §  3126;  57 Del. Laws, c. 669, §§  4G, 4H, 4I58 Del. Laws, c. 522, §  160 Del. Laws, c. 72, §  161 Del. Laws, c. 258, §  161 Del. Laws, c. 426, §  163 Del. Laws, c. 192, §§  1, 265 Del. Laws, c. 122, §§  1, 267 Del. Laws, c. 260, §  170 Del. Laws, c. 186, §  171 Del. Laws, c. 26, §§  1-382 Del. Laws, c. 128, § 1

§ 3126. Administering oaths and affirmations, taking depositions, certifying official acts and issuing subpoenas.

In the discharge of the duties imposed by this part, the members of the Department, the chairperson of an appeal tribunal and any duly authorized representative of either of them may administer oaths and affirmations, take depositions, certify to official acts and issue subpoenas to compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of books, papers, correspondence, memoranda and other records deemed necessary as evidence in connection with a disputed claim or the administration of this part.

41 Del. Laws, c. 258, §  11;  19 Del. C. 1953, §  3127;  57 Del. Laws, c. 669, §  4G70 Del. Laws, c. 186, §  1

§ 3127. Refusal to obey subpoena; penalty.

(a) In case of contumacy by, or refusal to obey a subpoena issued to, any person, any court of this State within the jurisdiction of which the inquiry is carried on or within the jurisdiction of which the person guilty of contumacy or refusal to obey is found or resides or transacts business, upon application by the Department, a chairperson of an appeal tribunal or any duly authorized representative of either, shall have jurisdiction to issue to such person an order requiring such person to appear before the Department, an appeal tribunal or any duly authorized representative of either, there to produce evidence if so ordered or there to give testimony touching the matter under investigation or in question. Any failure to obey such order of the court may be punished by the court as a contempt thereof.

(b) Whoever without just cause fails or refuses to attend and testify or to answer any lawful inquiry or to produce books, papers, correspondence, memoranda and other records if it is in the person’s power so to do in obedience to a subpoena of the Department, a chairperson of an appeal tribunal or any duly authorized representative of either shall be fined not less than $23 nor more than $230 or imprisoned not more than 60 days or both. Each day such violation continues shall be deemed to be a separate offense.

41 Del. Laws, c. 258, §  11;  19 Del. C. 1953, §  3128;  57 Del. Laws, c. 669, §  4G67 Del. Laws, c. 260, §  170 Del. Laws, c. 186, §  1

§ 3128. Self-incrimination.

No person shall be excused from attending and testifying or from producing books, papers, correspondence, memoranda and other records before the Department, the chairperson of an appeal tribunal or any duly authorized representative of either of them or in obedience to the subpoena of any of them in any cause or proceeding before the Department or an appeal tribunal on the ground that the testimony or evidence, documentary or otherwise, required of that person may tend to incriminate that person or subject that person to a penalty or forfeiture, but no individual shall be prosecuted or subjected to any penalty or forfeiture for or on account of any transaction, matter or thing concerning which that person is compelled, after having claimed the privilege against self-incrimination, to testify or produce evidence, documentary or otherwise, except that such individual so testifying shall not be exempt from prosecution and punishment for perjury committed in so testifying.

41 Del. Laws, c. 258, §  11;  19 Del. C. 1953, §  3129;  57 Del. Laws, c. 669, §  4G70 Del. Laws, c. 186, §  1

§ 3129. Representation of Department and State in civil and criminal actions.

(a) In any civil action to enforce this part, the Department and the State may be represented by any qualified attorney who is employed by the Department and is designated for this purpose or at the Department’s request by the Attorney General.

(b) All criminal actions for violation of any provision of this part or of any rules or regulations issued pursuant thereto shall be prosecuted by the Attorney General of the State or, at the Attorney General’s direction, by 1 of the Attorney General’s deputies.

41 Del. Laws, c. 258, §  17;  19 Del. C. 1953, §  3130;  57 Del. Laws, c. 669, §  4G70 Del. Laws, c. 186, §  1

§ 3130. Cooperation with federal agencies.

In the administration of this part, the Department shall cooperate with the United States Department of Labor to the fullest extent consistent with this part and shall take such action, through the adoption of appropriate rules, regulations, administrative methods and standards, as may be necessary to secure to this State and its citizens all advantages available under the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. § 301 et seq.] that relate to unemployment compensation, the Federal Unemployment Tax Act [26 U.S.C. § 3301 et seq.], the Wagner-Peyser Act [29 U.S.C. § 49 et seq.] and the Federal-State Extended Unemployment Compensation Act of 1970 [26 U.S.C. § 3304].

In the administration of the provisions in § 3326 of this title, which are enacted to conform with the requirements of the Federal-State Extended Unemployment Compensation Act of 1970, the Department shall take such action as may be necessary to:

(1) Ensure that the provisions are so interpreted and applied as to meet the requirements of such federal act as interpreted by the United States Department of Labor, and

(2) Insure to this State the full reimbursement of the federal share of extended benefits paid under this part that are reimbursable under the federal act.

Upon request therefor the Department shall furnish to any agency of the United States charged with the administration of public works or assistance through public employment the name, address, ordinary occupation and employment status of each recipient of benefits and such recipient’s rights to further benefits under this part.

The Department may make its records relating to the administration of this part available to the Railroad Retirement Board established by act of Congress and may furnish to the Board, at the expense of the Board, such copies thereof as the Board deems necessary for its purposes.

The Department may afford reasonable cooperation with every agency of the United States charged with the administration of any unemployment insurance or compensation law.

41 Del. Laws, c. 258, §  1142 Del. Laws, c. 198, §  1;  19 Del. C. 1953, §  3131;  57 Del. Laws, c. 669, §§  4G, 4H58 Del. Laws, c. 143, §  2

§ 3131. Reciprocal arrangements with state or federal agencies.

(a) The Department may enter into reciprocal arrangements with appropriate and duly authorized agencies of other states or of the federal government or both whereby:

(1) Services performed by an individual for a single employing unit for which services are customarily performed in more than 1 state shall be deemed to be services performed entirely within any 1 of the states (A) in which any part of such individual’s service is performed or (B) in which such individual has residence or (C) in which the employing unit maintains a branch office or its principal place of business, if there is in effect, as to such services, an election, approved by the agency charged with the administration of such state’s unemployment compensation law, pursuant to which all the services performed by such individual for such employing unit are deemed to be performed entirely within such state;

(2) Potential rights to benefits accumulated under the unemployment compensation laws of 1 or more states or under 1 or more such laws of the federal government, or both, may constitute the basis for the payment of benefits through a single appropriate agency under terms which the Department finds will be fair and reasonable as to all affected interests and will not result in any substantial loss to the Fund;

(3) The Department shall participate in any arrangement for the payment of compensation on the basis of combining an individual’s wages and employment covered under this part with the wages and employment covered under the unemployment compensation laws of other states or of the federal government which are approved by the United States Secretary of Labor in consultation with the state unemployment compensation agencies as reasonably calculated to assure the prompt and full payment of compensation in such situations and which includes provisions for:

a. Applying the base period of a single state law to a claim involving the combining of an individual’s wages and employment covered under 2 or more state unemployment compensation laws; and

b. Avoiding the duplicate use of wages and employment by reason of such combining;

(4) Assessments due under this part with respect to wages for insured work shall for the purposes of §§ 3357-3365 of this title be deemed to have been paid to the fund as of the date payment was made as assessments therefor under another state or federal unemployment compensation law but no such arrangement shall be entered into unless it contains provisions for such reimbursement to the fund of such assessments and the actual earnings thereon as the Department finds will be fair and reasonable as to all affected interests.

(b) Reimbursements paid from the Fund pursuant to paragraph (a)(3) of this section shall be deemed to be benefits for the purpose of §§ 3161-3163 and 3313 of this title, but no reimbursement payable from the Fund shall be charged against any employer’s account for the purposes of §§ 3345-3356 of this title. The Department may make to other state or federal agencies and receive from such other state or federal agencies reimbursements from or to the Fund, in accordance with arrangements entered into pursuant to subsection (a) of this section.

(c) The administration of this part and of other state and federal unemployment compensation and public employment service laws will be promoted by cooperation between this State and such other states and the appropriate federal agencies in exchanging service and making available facilities and information. The Department may, therefore, make such investigations, secure and transmit such information, make available such services and facilities and exercise such of the other powers provided herein with respect to the administration of this part as it deems necessary or appropriate to facilitate the administration of any such unemployment compensation or public employment service law, and, in like manner, may accept and utilize information, services and facilities made available to this State by the agency charged with the administration of any such other unemployment compensation or public employment service law.

(d) To the extent permissible under the laws and Constitution of the United States, the Department may enter into or cooperate in arrangements whereby facilities and services provided under this part and facilities and services provided under the unemployment compensation law of any foreign government may be utilized for the taking of claims and the payment of benefits under the employment security law of this State or under a similar law of such government.

41 Del. Laws, c. 258, §  1843 Del. Laws, c. 280, §  23;  19 Del. C. 1953, §  3132;  53 Del. Laws, c. 79, §  157 Del. Laws, c. 669, §  4G58 Del. Laws, c. 143, §  370 Del. Laws, c. 186, §  1

§ 3132. Authority to use federal grants; limitations.

If § 303(a)(5) of Title III of the federal Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. § 503(a)(5)] and § 3304(a)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code [26 U.S.C. § 3304(a)(4)] are amended by the Congress of the United States to permit the Department to use, in financing administrative expenditures incurred in carrying out its employment security functions, some part of the moneys collected or to be collected under this part in partial or complete substitution for grants under Title III of the federal Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. § 501 et seq.], there shall be available to the Department without further appropriation or legislation such portion of the moneys collected or to be collected under this part, as the Department finds necessary for effective administration of this part. In no event shall the funds expended by the Department under this provision in any year be in excess of 2/1 0 of 1 percent of the payrolls of employers subject to assessments collected under this part for the previous fiscal year. Such amount shall be determined annually by the Department in conjunction with the Secretary of Finance and shall be transferred to the Administration Fund. Any unexpended portion of this annual allocation shall revert to the Unemployment Compensation Reserve Fund.

41 Del. Laws, c. 258, §  746 Del. Laws, c. 162, §  12;  19 Del. C. 1953, §  3133;  53 Del. Laws, c. 79, §  157 Del. Laws, c. 669, §  4G57 Del. Laws, c. 741, §  3658 Del. Laws, c. 143, §  466 Del. Laws, c. 52, §  1

§ 3133. Authority to borrow federal funds.

The Department is authorized to enter into such agreement as may be necessary to secure any advance or grant of funds by the Secretary of the Treasury of the United States in accordance with the authority extended under § 1201 of the federal Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. § 1321), as amended, or under any other act of Congress extending such authority.

Any amount transferred to the Unemployment Trust Fund by the Secretary of the Treasury of the United States under the terms of any agreement entered into in accordance with the authority extended in this section shall be repaid to the Secretary of the Treasury of the United States from the Unemployment Trust Fund.

Interest on interest-bearing advances from the federal government for the payment of unemployment compensation benefits shall be paid in a timely manner, as prescribed by the Secretary of Labor of the United States, from the Special Administration Fund for the Department of Labor as provided in § 3166 of this title.

19 Del. C. 1953, §  3134;  52 Del. Laws, c. 18, §  157 Del. Laws, c. 669, §  4G64 Del. Laws, c. 158, §  164 Del. Laws, c. 427, §  1