Senate panel approves "ghosting" bill to let employers report missed interviews; reporting voluntary under amendment

The Senate Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee approved House Bill 1197, a measure sponsors described as an effort to codify an employer reporting practice tied to unemployment benefits enforcement.

Sponsor Senator Ben Gilmore said the bill codifies a reporting system that already exists with unemployment assistance and is designed to "incentivize work." He described the bill's mechanics: an employer who schedules an interview or appointment and is not honored could report the no-show, and an individual could lose a week of unemployment benefits if the report is substantiated. Gilmore said the bill includes protections: legitimate reasons (for example, a sick child) provide exceptions.

During questioning, Senator Lapp asked how reporting would work and whether Department of Workforce Services staff communicate with employers. Committee discussion clarified that a portal exists for employers to report missed interviews and that DWS staff already talk with employers. Sponsors also described a recent amendment that changed a mandatory "shall" to a permissive "may" to address private-sector concerns and to avoid automatic punitive consequences.

Committee members asked whether the colloquial term "ghosting" is defined in statute; Gilmore said it appears in the bill title in quotes only as shorthand and is not a statutory definition. With no public testimony or opposition, a do-pass motion was made, seconded and the committee approved HB 1197 by voice vote.

The committee did not record a roll-call tally in the transcript; the chair announced the bill passed by voice vote.