IN SB0265

Employers who take adverse employment action against employees for instituting wage recovery claims or demanding payment commit a Class B infraction, with civil penalties ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 based on prior violations within five years; adverse action within 60 days of a wage claim is prima facie evidence of unlawful retaliation

Worker's compensation benefits for permanent partial impairment increase annually from FY 2027 through FY 2032, with per-degree compensation rising from current levels to $2,608-$6,052 depending on impairment severity; maximum average weekly wages for compensation calculations increase from $1,316 to $1,743 by July 1, 2031

Maximum total worker's compensation benefits (excluding medical) increase from $439,000 to $581,000 for injuries occurring on or after July 1, 2031

Unemployment insurance benefits for claims filed after June 30, 2026 return to a formula of 5% of the first $2,000 of quarterly wage credits plus 4% of remaining credits, with maximum weekly benefits capped at $514; wage credit cap set at $12,350 per quarter

New unemployment benefit of $50 per week per dependent (maximum $150 per week) added for eligible claimants with qualifying dependents including unemployed spouses, children under 18, and disabled adult children