Senate Bill 320 - 2021 Unemployment Insurance Reform

• Increases maximum weekly unemployment benefit amount from $350 to $500, adjusted annually for inflation based on Consumer Price Index changes
• Extends maximum benefit eligibility period to 26 weeks, with the number of weeks varying based on seasonal adjusted statewide unemployment rates (ranging from 12 to 20 weeks depending on unemployment level)
• Expands good cause for leaving employment to include spousal relocation, health reasons, undue family hardship (lack of child or elder care), and domestic violence; benefits paid under these provisions are not chargeable to employers' accounts
• Authorizes forgiveness of nonfraudulent overpayments caused by Division errors without requiring repayment
• Establishes a Short-Time Compensation Program allowing employers to reduce employee hours (10-60% reduction) instead of laying off workers, with employees receiving proportional unemployment benefits while maintaining health and retirement benefits