MI HB5167

Establishes a program providing claimant and employer advocacy assistance for unemployment compensation appeals at the referee and board of review levels, funded from the penalty and interest account in the contingent fund.

Caps maximum annual program expenditure at $1,500,000 beginning October 1, 1994, with claimant representation costs not exceeding 60% and employer representation costs not exceeding 40% of the maximum yearly expenditure.

Requires unemployment agency approval for advocacy service providers who are not required to be attorneys, and prohibits active state employees from providing services except for program supervision and coordination.

Mandates the unemployment agency attempt to recover representation fees from claimants or employers if they are found to have committed fraud under section 54.

Takes effect July 1, 2018, contingent upon enactment of HB 5165, HB 5166, HB 5168, HB 5169, HB 5170, HB 5171, and HB 5172 of the 99th Legislature.