H 713 - Unemployment Insurance Changes/Restorations

• Eliminates multiple waiting weeks for unemployment benefits and establishes a single one-week waiting period per claim per benefit year, with an exception for disaster-related claims.

• Changes the weekly benefit amount calculation to use the average of the two highest quarters of the base period instead of the last two quarters, and removes the $350 weekly benefit cap in favor of a maximum set at 50% of the average weekly insured wage annually.

• Reestablishes a maximum of 26 weeks of unemployment benefits eligibility per benefit year, replacing the previous sliding scale duration based on seasonal unemployment rates.

• Restores eligibility for benefits when individuals leave employment for spousal relocation, health reasons, domestic violence, or undue family hardship (inability to obtain child care or elder care).

• Becomes effective upon enactment and applies to unemployment insurance claims filed on or after the effective date.