Amish-owned businesses could opt out of unemployment insurance

A bill for an act exempting service performed for certain employers from eligibility for unemployment insurance, and including applicability provisions.(Formerly HF 2319.)

Introduced· 2026-02-19

Who's it for

Who's it for: Amish Business Owners

What it means for you

3/10Hurts you

Bad for everyday people ·

Right removedCost shift

Plain‑English summary, cross‑checked against the official bill text.

This bill would let Amish-owned businesses stop participating in the state unemployment system, meaning their workers would not get unemployment checks if they are laid off.

Our take

What we think, in plain words.

While this bill is designed to respect the religious beliefs of Amish business owners who oppose government insurance, it does so by stripping a basic safety net from their workers. If a worker gets laid off, they will not get unemployment benefits to help them pay rent or buy groceries. Even though workers have to sign a waiver, giving up standard labor protections should not be a condition of getting a job.

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The facts

What the bill actually says, no spin.

Lets businesses owned entirely by Amish individuals opt out of the state unemployment insurance system.
Requires the business owners to have a sincere religious objection to government insurance programs.
Makes workers sign a form agreeing that they will not get unemployment benefits if they lose their job.
Does not exempt the business from federal unemployment laws or other state taxes.