MI HB5171

Establishes a hardship waiver option for claimants to obtain forgiveness of improperly paid unemployment benefits if their average net household income and cash assets were at or below 150% of federal poverty guidelines during the 6 months preceding the waiver application.

Limits the unemployment agency to issuing restitution determinations within 3 years of when the claimant first received benefits in the benefit year, except for cases involving intentional false statements or identity fraud which have no time limit.

Prohibits the agency from making determinations of intentional false statements or misrepresentation based solely on computer-identified discrepancies; agency employees must independently examine facts before imposing sanctions.

Requires the unemployment agency to issue annual reports to legislative committees by January 31 beginning in 2019, detailing waiver procedures, application numbers, grant and denial statistics, and total amounts waived.

Takes effect March 21, 2018, contingent upon enactment of companion bills HB 5165, 5166, 5167, 5168, 5169, 5170, and 5172.