Assembly Bill 168 introduces several significant changes to Wisconsin's unemployment insurance (UI) law, primarily aimed at enhancing fraud detection and improving claimant support. The bill mandates the Department of Workforce Development (DWD) to implement identity-proofing measures for claimants, ensuring they verify their identity before filing claims and during other transactions. Additionally, it establishes a new statute of limitations for prosecuting felonies related to fraud in obtaining UI benefits, extending the time frame from six to eight years for such cases. The bill also requires DWD to provide comprehensive training materials and live seminars for employers and claimants, as well as to maintain a call center with extended hours during periods of increased claim volume or declared emergencies.

Furthermore, the bill mandates DWD to conduct weekly comparisons of UI benefit recipients against various national databases to detect fraud or erroneous payments. It also stipulates that if DWD suspends or reduces any fraud detection methods, it must notify relevant authorities, including the Council on Unemployment Insurance and the Governor. The bill aims to enhance the integrity of the UI system while providing better resources and support for both claimants and employers.