Opinion ID: 2123383
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Did district court err in its failure to give effect to the stricter penalties in the section 96.5(2)(a) amendment effective July 1, 1979?

Text: We have noted section 96.5(2)(a) formerly provided that a person discharged for misconduct would be disqualified for benefits for a one- to nine-week period. This section was amended effective July 1, 1979, by the 1979 Session, 68th G.A., ch. 33, § 10. It now provides for complete disqualification until the individual has worked in and has been paid wages for insured work equal to ten times the individual's weekly benefit amount. Id. Job Service argues this amendment should have been applied in this case. Green was fired February 6, 1979, and filed for benefits the same month. The hearing officer's decision was issued April 4, 1979. Upon Green's appeal, the board's decision was filed July 20, 1979. It is plain her rights had accrued, and most of the proceedings had occurred, before July 1, 1979. The language of division II of Cook, 299 N.W.2d at 702-03, is directly applicable here and will not be repeated. We hold the 1979 amendment to section 96.5(2)(a), The Code, is prospective only and the law in effect at the time of Green's discharge governs this case. District court was right in remanding to the agency to determine the number of weeks of disqualification under section 96.5(2)(a) as that statute appeared February 6, 1979. In our consideration of this case we have granted Job Service's motion to amend and have studied the supplemental briefs filed by the Service and by Green. Nonetheless, we affirm the district court decision. AFFIRMED.