S.B. No. 355 Summary

• Reduces earnings requirement for unemployment benefits eligibility beginning January 1, 2023, from 27.5% of statewide average weekly wage to a fixed amount of $1,500 total during base period with $1,000 earned in highest earning quarter

• Applies new $1,500/$1,000 earnings threshold to benefit years beginning on and after January 1, 2023, for initial unemployment benefits determination

• Extends new earnings requirement to shared work compensation eligibility under section 4141.53

• Maintains existing 20 qualifying weeks employment requirement while replacing percentage-based wage calculation with flat dollar amounts

• Adjusts "duration of unemployment" definition to require $500 in earnings after reemployment beginning January 1, 2023 (previously six times average weekly wage)