The bill amends the Michigan Employment Security Act, specifically updating sections 27 and 28b related to unemployment benefits. Key changes include an increase in the maximum weekly benefit rate, which will rise to $446.00 starting January 1, 2025, and reach $614.00 by January 1, 2028. The definition of "dependent" has been revised to use more inclusive language, replacing "husband or wife" with "spouse" and "brother or sister" with "sibling." The bill also outlines conditions for benefit eligibility, including the requirement for individuals to continue filing claims while unemployed, and specifies how retirement benefits will be treated in relation to unemployment compensation.

Additionally, the bill modifies regulations concerning seasonal workers by removing restrictions that limited their eligibility for benefits based on employment periods and reasonable assurances of reemployment. It eliminates the requirement for employers to display notices about seasonal employment status. New definitions for shared-work plans are introduced, clarifying that seasonal and temporary workers are not included in these plans. The bill mandates annual adjustments to the maximum weekly benefit rates and dependent amounts based on the Consumer Price Index, ensuring that benefits remain aligned with inflation.

Statutes affected:
House Introduced Bill: 421.27, 421.28