The bill, titled the "Promoting Work, Deterring Fraud Act of 2026," aims to enhance the verification process for reemployment assistance benefit eligibility in Florida. It amends section 443.101 of the Florida Statutes to revise the circumstances under which claimants may be disqualified from receiving benefits. Notably, it introduces new requirements for the Department of Commerce to verify the identities of claimants before disbursing benefits and mandates cross-checking of claim information with various databases to prevent fraud. The bill also specifies that claimants must contact a required number of prospective employers and attend scheduled job interviews, with disqualifications continuing until certain income thresholds are met.

Additionally, the bill creates section 443.1112, which outlines the responsibilities of the Department of Commerce in investigating claims associated with potential fraud. This includes scrutinizing claims linked to shared addresses or accounts, as well as claims filed from foreign IP addresses. The department is tasked with maintaining a web page for reporting suspected violations and is required to produce an annual report detailing fraudulent claims and recovery efforts. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
S 216 Filed: 443.101