S.B. No. 116 Summary

• Creates new section 4141.02 to establish a standardized calculation method for the statewide average weekly wage using a 12-month period ending June 30th, computed by dividing total wages by average monthly employment, then by 52 weeks.

• Modifies maximum weekly benefit amounts to cap benefits at 50% of statewide average weekly wage for benefit years beginning on or after the effective date of this amendment.

• Updates benefit duration structure to tie maximum weeks of benefits to the adjusted unemployment rate, ranging from 12 weeks (5.5% or below) to 20 weeks (greater than 9%).

• Revises dependency class provisions to eliminate the specific dollar-amount maximums previously listed in tables, replacing them with percentage-based calculations tied to statewide average weekly wage.

• Amends sections 4141.29, 4141.30, 4141.43, and 4141.53 to update references and calculations throughout Ohio's unemployment compensation law to align with the new wage calculation methodology and benefit structures.