Bill > HB771

This bill modifies the duration of unemployment benefits in Missouri based on the state's unemployment rate. Under the new provisions, the number of weeks an unemployed worker can receive benefits will vary from eight to twenty weeks, depending on the current unemployment rate. Specifically, if the unemployment rate is higher than nine percent, workers can receive up to twenty weeks of benefits, while those in areas with an unemployment rate at or below three and one-half percent would only be eligible for eight weeks of benefits. The "Missouri unemployment rate" will be determined by the statewide unemployment rate published by the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics on the date the worker initially files a claim. This change is set to become effective on January 1, 2026, and aims to adjust unemployment benefits more dynamically based on current economic conditions. The bill also includes provisions for how benefits are calculated, paid, and administered, and requires the division of employment security to create rules and regulations to implement these changes.

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https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB771&year=2025&code=R