Senate Bill 700: 2023 Unemployment Insurance Reform

• Increases maximum weekly unemployment benefit from $350 to $445, adjusted annually for inflation based on the Consumer Price Index.

• Changes benefit calculation from last two completed quarters to highest paid quarter of the base period, divided by 26 weeks instead of 52.

• Extends maximum unemployment benefit duration to 26 weeks while maintaining variable weekly eligibility based on state unemployment rates.

• Adds new grounds for receiving benefits without disqualification: spousal relocation, health reasons, undue family hardship, and domestic violence/sexual offense/stalking with documentation requirements.

• Authorizes forgiveness of nonfraudulent overpayments caused by Division error and establishes a short-time compensation program allowing employers to reduce employee hours (10-60%) instead of laying off workers while employees receive partial benefits.