Bill > HB4405

This bill amends Michigan's employment security law to make several significant changes to unemployment benefits, particularly for low-wage school employees and regarding dependent benefits. The bill increases the weekly benefit rate for dependents in stages from 2025 to 2028, starting at $12.66 per dependent in 2025 and rising to $26.00 per dependent by 2027, with corresponding increases in the maximum weekly benefit rate from $446.00 to $614.00. A key provision allows low-wage school employees (those earning less than the federal poverty level for a family of four) to collect unemployment benefits during summer months between academic years, which was previously restricted. The bill also extends the maximum number of weeks of unemployment benefits from 20 to 26 weeks for claims filed on or after April 2, 2025, and makes various technical updates to language around dependents, retirement benefits, and benefit calculations, such as replacing gendered terms with gender-neutral language. Additionally, the bill requires the state treasurer to adjust dependent and maximum benefit amounts annually based on the Consumer Price Index starting in 2027, ensuring that benefits keep pace with inflation.

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https://legislature.mi.gov/Bills/Bill?ObjectName=2025-HB-4405