MD
Maryland Senate Bill SB670

Maryland 2023 Regular Session

Maryland Senate Bill SB670

Introduced
2/6/23  

Caption

Unemployment Insurance Modernization Act of 2023

Impact

Among the notable changes proposed, the bill seeks to modernize the calculations used to determine eligibility for unemployment benefits and the formulas that govern employer contributions based on their employment history. The legislation will repeal outdated calculation methodologies and establish new frameworks for determining the earnings used to compute weekly benefits and rates. This reform is anticipated to streamline the process, making it more responsive to current economic realities, thus providing more support to those affected by unemployment while ensuring employers contribute fairly according to their payroll levels.

Summary

Senate Bill 670, titled the Unemployment Insurance Modernization Act of 2023, aims to reform the unemployment insurance system in Maryland significantly. The bill proposes changes to the taxable wage base for employer contributions, requiring the Maryland Department of Labor to determine and publish the state average wage annually. This aspect is critical for updating the calculations that affect both the taxable wage base and the maximum weekly benefit amount for applicants seeking unemployment assistance. Additionally, the bill outlines how these figures should be adjusted over the coming years, ensuring that they reflect economic conditions accurately.

Contention

Despite its intended benefits, SB670 has generated discussion regarding its implications for both employees and employers in Maryland. Proponents of the bill argue that these changes will create a more equitable unemployment benefits system that can better support workers during economic downturns. However, opponents express concerns over potential increased costs for employers, particularly small businesses, who may face higher taxation due to the changes in the tax base. The balance between providing necessary support for unemployed individuals and maintaining a healthy business environment remains a pivotal point of debate surrounding this legislation.

Latest SB670 Activity

Companion Bills

MD HB724

Crossfiled Unemployment Insurance Modernization Act of 2023

Similar Bills

MD HB724

Unemployment Insurance Modernization Act of 2023

MD HB205

Unemployment Insurance Modernization Act of 2024

MD SB104

Unemployment Insurance Modernization Act of 2024

MD HB554

Unemployment Insurance Modernization Act of 2025

MD SB752

Unemployment Insurance Modernization Act of 2025

KS HB2401

Defining "benefit year" and "temporary unemployment" in the employment security law, allowing the extension of temporary unemployment; requiring electronic report filing by certain employers, permitting discretion in appointments and terms for the temporary employment security board of review, delaying new account formation after certain business acquisitions, requiring the new unemployment insurance system to allow employer reports regarding claimant compliance and authorizing the legislative coordinating council to extend new system implementation deadlines.

KS HB2570

Substitute for HB 2570 by Committee on Commerce, Labor and Economic Development - Defining benefit year, temporary unemployment, wages and other terms in the employment security law, requiring electronic filing for certain employers, establishing qualifications for employment security board of review candidates, extending the deadline for new accounts following business acquisitions, making certain changes to the employer rate schedules and lowering rates for new employers, enabling employers to report claimant work search issues, confirming legislative coordinating council oversight for the new unemployment insurance information technology system implementation, authorizing the secretary to grant additional temporary unemployment in certain circumstances, requiring the secretary to publish certain information, abolishing the employment security interest assessment fund and providing relief for negative account balance employers.

KS SB478

Defining benefit year, temporary unemployment and other terms in the employment security law, requiring electronic filing for certain employers, establishing qualifications for employment security board of review candidates, extending the deadline for new accounts following business acquisitions, making certain changes to the employer rate schedules, enabling employers to report claimant work search issues, confirming legislative coordinating council oversight for the new unemployment insurance information technology system implementation, authorizing the secretary to grant temporary unemployment, requiring the secretary to annually publish certain data and abolishing the employment security interest assessment fund.