Bill > HB6316

This bill amends the Michigan Employment Security Act—the state law governing the administration of unemployment benefits—by requiring the state's Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) to establish electronic access to various government databases within 90 days of taking effect to better verify eligibility and combat fraud. Under this legislation, UIA representatives must cross-reference claimant data with state departments like Health and Human Services, Corrections (to check incarceration status), and State, as well as federal entities like the Social Security Administration for death records and the Internal Revenue Service for income verification. Specifically, the bill mandates that the agency check a claimant's job status, incarceration status, and death records at least once a week while benefits are being paid, and verify their identity and income at least once per calendar quarter. To protect sensitive personal information, the agency is required to implement strict administrative, technical, and physical security safeguards—such as data encryption and access logging—that comply with state technology standards. Finally, the legislation requires the UIA to submit an annual report to the state legislature detailing the number of fraudulent claims detected, the estimated taxpayer cost savings, any implementation challenges faced, and recommendations for further improvements.