Sponsor: Sen. Will Kraus, District 8

This act redefines "misconduct" for which an employee may be disqualified from unemployment benefits. Currently, misconduct includes a wanton or willful disregard of the employer's interest and a disregard of standards of behavior the employer has the right to expect. The act changes that standard to a knowing disregard of that interest and a knowing violation of the standards the employer expects. Currently, an intentional and substantial disregard of the employer's interest or of the employer's duties and obligations to the employer also qualifies as misconduct. The act changes that standard to a knowing disregard of such interests, duties and obligations. Currently, a deliberate violation of the employer's rules constitutes misconduct. Under the act, a violation of an employer's rule is misconduct unless the employee demonstrates that he or she did not know and could not reasonably know the requirement, the rule is unlawful, or it is not fairly or consistently enforced.

The Missouri Alliance for Freedom supports this bill because it allows employers to hold employees accountable for negligence without having to pay them unemployment benefits. This promotes our mission of personal responsibility and individual liberty. 

This bill passed both the House and the Senate. It is on the Governor's desk awaiting his decision.