OH HB254

Amends Ohio Revised Code section 4141.30 to expand the definition of "dependent" for unemployment benefits to include children in legal custody of the claimant, not just natural, stepchild, or adopted children.

A child in legal custody qualifies as a dependent if the claimant supplies more than one-half the cost of support for at least 90 consecutive days (or the duration of the custody relationship if less than 90 days) before the benefit year begins.

Dependent status requires the child to be under 18 years old at the start of the benefit year or unable to work due to permanent physical or mental disability.

Allows individuals with qualifying children in legal custody to potentially move into higher dependency classes (B or C), which increases maximum weekly unemployment benefit amounts.

Makes technical correction changing "apphcations" to "applications" in existing benefit calculation language.